KU News Release

New scholarship fund in the works for low-income students

LAWRENCE — The Educational Opportunity Programs at the University of Kansas are creating a new scholarship fund for low-income, first-generation college students at KU.

A public presentation announcing the new scholarship fund will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in 150 Joseph R. Pearson Hall. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear personal testimonies from students who would benefit from the scholarship. The event will be one of several taking place during the annual Educational Opportunity Programs Day at KU.

The Educational Opportunity Programs serve about 4,000 Kansas students annually to help underrepresented students enter and succeed in college. The programs are housed in the School of Education and comprise federal- and state-funded programs, including those for current KU undergraduates (McNair Scholars Program and Supportive Educational Services) and pre-college students (Educational Opportunity Center, GEAR UP, Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy, Math and Science Center, Upward Bound, Talent Search and Veterans Upward Bound).

Educational Opportunity Programs and KU Endowment staff members are creating the scholarship fund, to be held and managed at KU Endowment, in response to rising tuition costs and other financial barriers some students face when planning to attend college. The initial goal is to raise the minimum amount required for an endowed scholarship, which is $30,000, within a three-year period. Once that goal has been reached, the staff can select its inaugural group of scholarship recipients.

At this time, the scholarship is known as the Educational Opportunity Programs Scholarship. Should a major donor come forward, the fund may be named for that donor or for someone the donor would like to honor. Individuals already have contributed more than $1,000. Donors may contribute in person at the scholarship announcement Feb. 27; on the KU Endowment Web site ; or by calling Chuck Cordt at KU Endowment, (785) 832-7464.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.