WSU First Scholars Program. Our mission is the dramatically improve the graduation rate of first-generation college students and to prepare each scholar for a life with self-awareness, success, and significance. Website firstscholars.wsu.edu/ First Scholars™ is a comprehensive program that supports first-generation students and assists them in completing their college degrees. First Scholars delivers multiple levels of support, including a full-time program coordinator and peer mentors to augment existing university services. Initially, the staff and programming focus on assisting scholars with adjusting to campus life by introducing campus resources and encouraging participation in campus organization and activities. Participants form a cohort and take a common course as well. The next phase involves each scholar, guided by the program coordinator, creating an individualized strategic plan based on his or her results on the Student Strengths Inventory™ (SSI). The plan identifies strengths and areas for growth and outlines strategies and interventions tied to goals. Scholars retake the SSI periodically, as a part of continually updating and fine-tuning their individualized strategic plans throughout their college career. Students selected for the program participate in social activities, workshops, service opportunities and maintain regular contact with their peer mentors and the program coordinator. Programming includes: • Peer Mentoring (freshmen and sophomore years); • Group activities such as socials, educational programs, service opportunities, resource awareness and enrichment opportunities; • Participation in a student organization based on the scholars interests; Pay-it-Forward service which allows scholars to give back by volunteering in community non-profit organizations and projects. In addition, scholars transition to a leadership role as they become upperclassmen-giving back by assisting incoming scholars as peer mentors or tutors or other roles benefiting the program. As scholars transition to upper-class status, programming will focus on personal development within the context of content areas such as leadership or social responsibility. Learn more about First Scholars. The First Scholars™ Program is available to 20 incoming first-time, full-time freshmen whose parents have no more than two years of education beyond high school and no post-secondary degree. Participation in First Scholars™ includes a four-year renewable scholarship totaling $20,000; students receive $5,000 each year, half disbursed in the fall semester and half disbursed in the spring semester. Students can receive the award depending on eligibility requirements for a total of 4 years if program requirements are met. This scholarship is open to Washington residents who enroll at Washington State University - Pullman full-time during the 2014-2015 academic year. The program requires that the recipients live on campus for the 2014-2015 academic year and outside of the family home the following three academic years in order to renew the scholarship. To be considered for a scholarship from us, you must: • Be a first-generation student, which for this program means that your parent(s) has/have no more than two years of education beyond high school and no post-secondary degree. • Be an incoming first-time, full-time freshman. • Apply, and be admitted to Washington State University - Pullman. • Demonstrate financial need. • Be a Washington resident, or for Native American students, be eligible for in-state tuition based on tribal affiliation. • Have a 3.3 GPA or higher and an SAT score between 910 and 1190 (not including the writing score) or ACT score between 19 and 26. • Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and be eligible for in-state student tuition. • Intend to live on campus, and apply for campus housing. (If & when you confirm to WSU.) • Complete the WSU Scholarship Application by January 31, 2014. • Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1, 2014. • Complete the Student Strengths Inventory™, a non-academic assessment of your potential for success. (A link will be sent to you via email after your application is submitted and eligibility is verified.) • Be willing to fully participate in the First Scholars program and activities for up to 4 years. First Scholars will be selected based on our eligibility criteria and the results of the SSI. If youre selected, First Scholars will provide you with opportunities to maximize your success in college and help you create an individual plan to guide you. As a First Scholar, you will be granted up to three additional one-year scholarships toward your undergraduate studies, provided you meet the following criteria: • Maintain full-time student status (as defined by WSU).* • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. • Demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. • Demonstrate your commitment and full involvement in developing and following your individualized strategic plan, including participation in all required activities. • Complete your Pay-It-Forward requirement for the academic year. *Although most universities consider students who are taking 12 credit hours per semester to have full-time status, taking 12 credits per semester does not keep you on pace to graduate in four years. Please keep in mind that this scholarship covers four years. In order to stay on track to graduate in four years, you should aim to earn an average of 30 credits per year. Consult your advisor to verify the exact number of credit hours needed to earn your particular degree. Online Application Available Here Apply before February 1.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 18:42:20 +0000