Campus Times
April 8, 2005
Some first-generation college students – those who are the first in their families pursue a higher education – often face unique challenges.
Unlike students whose parents have started talking about college since grade school, first-generation students often find themselves torn between their studies and family responsibilities, thus putting them at risk of dropping out.
Since 1996 the University of La Verne has awarded the First Generation Student Success Program Scholarship to some of those students in the amount of $300 a semester for the students’ first two years of college.
The focus of the scholarship is the first two years of college because studies show that it is the time when a student is most likely to drop out.
The program also involves family engagement, workshops and an application.
“I think the scholarship helps motivate people stay in school,” said junior Colleen Wilke. “It’s kind of easier when you don’t have to worry about paying for certain things.”
“I think the scholarship helps out a lot for students coming straight out of high school because it covers the cost of books,” Wilke said.
Many students, like sophomore Gabby De La Cruz, say it has made a difference in their lives.
“I really am going to miss not having the scholarship money next year because it was a big load off my chest not having to worry about paying for books,” De La Cruz said. “This scholarship is a big help ... it helps you out more than you think.”
Bentley selects the recipients of the scholarship.
To qualify, the student must be coming straight out of high school.
There is a long application, which students and parents must fill out.
Grades are considered, however, there is no specific grade point average requirement.
“We mainly focus on the responses to the questions asked in the application to find out who is serious about it,” Bentley said.
“We also consider people’s income but that is not part of the criteria, it’s something that may get factored in,” she added.
Each application is given a score and the students with the highest scores receive the scholarship.
“Sometimes we don’t have many applicants and so they all may get the money,” Bentley said.
“It all depends on how many applicants we get a year. It also depends on how much of an endowment we get from the Packard Foundation.”
The endowment is split down the middle with the Brothers’ Forum scholarship.
Both scholarships split the money and what they receive from the Packard Foundation determines how many scholarships they can award.
About 10-12 awards are given out a year.
The application is due April 20 and the winners are announced some time in June.
For more information, call Bentley in the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity office at (909) 593-3511 Ext. 4397.
Amira Seyoum can be reached at aseyoum@ulv.edu.