AU is now offering a new scholarship for science and engineering students.
“When Heather Kim, vice president for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication, arrived on campus, she wanted to help get the word out about our science and engineering programs,” said Dr. Chad Wallace, dean of the science department.
Kim had the idea to redirect the current source of funds to be able to make this happen.
“We were able to reallocate some of our funding to put it toward this scholarship,” Kim said.
But, in order to qualify for the scholarship, some criteria must be met.
According to Wallace, in fall 2021, eligible incoming full-time freshmen and transfer students will receive $5000, which is renewable over four years and stackable on top of other gift aid. Incoming freshmen will b e required to have an interest in a science major as well as a minimum GPA of 3.0, and declare their major before the end of the first semester. This includes students that do not file or are not eligible to file FAFSA.
In order to be eligible to renew, students must be enrolled in consecutive semesters declared as an School of Science and Engineering major and meet the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by the Provost.
All incoming students who meet the criteria will automatically be awarded this scholarship, according to Wallace.
“Students who apply to AU need to talk to their AU admissions counselors and make them aware they want to pursue a major in the School of Science and Engineering,” said Dr. Wallace.
Kim stated what she thought the turnout for receiving the reward would be.
“This is the first year for the scholarship. Our estimate is that 25-35 students will earn it this year,” she said. “To best prepare to be successful in one of these majors, I always suggest students, in high school, take as many math, science, and computer programming courses as they can,” said Dr. Wallace.