More than 79 percent of the students at AU received financial aid help last year, according to usnews.com. This aid came in many forms, such as grants, loans and scholarships. With the increasing need from students for some form of financial aid, colleges around the country are feeling the pressure to support their students. This year, AU is trying harder than ever to try to supply a few more fiscally-saving opportunities to its students. For instance, AU has recently announced it will begin to offer a new scholarship to its students next fall.
Dubbed the “Madison County Scholarship,” the scholarship will help families save over $22,000 each year. The scholarship is eligible to any senior graduating from a Madison County high school, or those who currently reside in Madison County, who graduated with at least a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship is part of an initiative to “keep local talent” according to the scholarship’s description on AU’s website. The scholarship would also give the recipient a generous chance at an affordable education at our private institution.
“This could possibly draw more people,” said Madison County resident and AU sophomore Roger Gibson. “I reckon the overall quality of a school makes a bigger difference than a single scholarship. However, I’m sure the scholarship won’t hurt the school’s chances of attracting more Madison County students.”
AU offers a variety of scholarships to their students. To access a complete list of scholarships that AU offers, visit AU’s website.
“I don’t think the scholarship application process is too hard, but with all of AU’s online resources I always get a little confused,” said Gibson.
Clearly this confusion is unwanted by the administration at AU. As a non-for profit university primarily funded by donations, a big part of AU’s mission is advocating for financial stability. A large chunk of those donations come from former faculty and staff. Even some of the current faculty give back to their workplace.
Faculty is always available for further questions in the financial aid offices located in Decker Hall. The offices are tucked atop the large staircase starting in the admissions offices. The financial aid staff can answer any further questions on the subject of scholarships as well as any other questions regarding financial aid.
The goal with this new scholarship is the same with any other form of financial aid: to help out the students.