Heartland Family Feud to raise scholarship money

Evening of Dreams: Heartland Feud is a fundraising event from 5:30­–9 p.m. Thursday at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center in Bloomington.

Evening of Dreams is the signature event for the Heartland Community College Foundation, and the funds for this event help support the student scholarship program and Child Development Lab at HCC's campus. The lab is a place where people who have small children can be assured they are looked after while they go to school or work, but it also helps teach those who are in need of a real world education and want to study in the field of child care.

Chris Downing, executive director of the scholarship foundation at Heartland, said past fundraisers have offered ways for people to participate in the dinner.

"For the past decade or so, we have always tried to have an interactive theme for people who are coming. So it's not just your typical sit down dinner — they get the chance to participate one way or another," Downing said. "In years past, we've done video stock car racing, where people literally are the driver in the game; we've done horse racing and Deal or No Deal. This year, it's the second year of the Heartland Feud. It's basically 'Family Feud,' but instead of families, we randomly select people from the crowd to be the respected teams."

People can win prizes for their teams and also as part of the audience. There is also a silent auction of more than 30 unique baskets and a live auction.

The event is $50 and includes a cash bar. Those attending must be 21 or older.

Local businesses, community members and former students come out to support the fundraiser often because 90 percent of students who graduate from Heartland stay and work in the local community, and this is their chance to reinvest in the college.

The event will fund multiple scholarships, and it is estimated to net $30,000.

This is one of six events over the year to raise money, along with personal donors who are touched by the events.

Evening of Dreams is "not just a fundraising event, but an opportunity to educate and speak with the community about what is going on at Heartland," Downing said.

Source: Heartland Family Feud to raise scholarship money

Arkansas Student Alumni Association Supports Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Alumni Staff

SAA members with their donation.

The Arkansas Student Alumni Association donated $1,000 to Off-Campus Student Services' Non-Traditional Student Scholarship, bringing the fund one step closer to endowment. For many years, the Arkansas Alumni Association has strived to give to incoming and current students through scholarships. The Arkansas Alumni Association consistently gives over $1 million each year in scholarships through its various chapter, society, and membership efforts. That mission is being carried on by SAA through growing efforts to not only endow the member book scholarship — but also impact other scholarship programs across campus.

This scholarship is intended to help non-traditional students at the University of Arkansas. Non-traditional students are those who might be age 25 or over, married, or with dependents, may have a G.E.D. or were home-schooled. Working full-time and trying to advance their career by going to school (many times they are also first-generation), they attend classes part-time, either on campus or online. They might also be financially independent (no support from parents). They are the students with very limited scholarship opportunities, as they are not "traditional" students. 

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal about adults who hold a bachelor's degree, Arkansas continues to be one of the bottom three along with West Virginia and Mississippi. In 2013, only 20.6 percent of residents in Arkansas held a bachelor's degree. In 2014, the Lumina Foundation placed that number even lower at 15.05 percent. At the same time, Lumina reported that 23.63 percent of Arkansas residents, ages 25-64 had some college but no degree. That's 355,280 people who started college, and for some unknown reason, were unable to finish.

Off-Campus Student Services is looking to endow the scholarship this semester in order to award the first one to a student in Spring 2017. Every little bit counts and interested donors can give online here. U of A employees can utilize payroll deduction if they wish to make a contribution using this form available online. Please contact Off-Campus Student Services with any questions at 479-575-7351.

Any student can become a member of the Student Alumni Association. Annual student memberships are $20. For more information or to become a member of the largest student organization on campus, stop by the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House at 491 N. Razorback Road or visit arkansasalumni.org/students.

About the Student Alumni Association: From business majors to band members, Greek to grad students, the Student Alumni Association is involved across campus — making it the biggest organization on the University of Arkansas campus. Members of the Student Alumni Association receive more than 80 perks, including 5 percent off textbooks and 10 percent off school supplies at the U of A Bookstore. Members can network with alumni through mentoring programs such as Hearing from a Hog and also have the opportunity to pick up official BEAT shirts before every home football game. The student organization also hosts many events, including Homecoming and the Senior Walk dedication, to further educate students on the goal of maintaining tradition. The board, along with the association, also organizes the Senior Awards recognition programming that include the Seniors of Significance, Razorback Classics and the Senior Honor Citation — the top student award on campus.

About Off-Campus Student Services: A department within the Division of Student Affairs, Off-Campus Student Services provides assistance, resources, and referrals  off-campus undergraduates including first-year students living at home, upperclassmen living off campus, and adult and non-traditional students to help support and retain them at the University of Arkansas. 

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Source: Arkansas Student Alumni Association Supports Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Cowley awards scholarships to students from 13 schools

The Student Services Department at Cowley College has awarded scholarships to students from 13 schools.

Arkansas City High School

Glendy Mendoza, daughter of Rosa Mendoza, is the recipient of a Soule Family/Carpenter and Vickers Foundation Scholarship. At ACHS, she was the senior class president and was involved in School Counts Work Ethic, Student Council and 21st Century Leadership. 

She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Kansas Honor Program, while also being named the Arkansas City Outstanding Student. She plans to major in pre-nursing.

Heather Utt, daughter of Christina Helvy, is the recipient of a Henrietta Courtright/United Agency Scholarship. At ACHS she received a Work Ethic Award. She plans to major in hotel and restaurant management.

Matthew Cleary, son of Shawn and Jackie Cleary, is the recipient of a Dean's Scholarship. At Clearwater, he was involved in cross country, track and drama. He plans to major in mechatronics.

Kristin James, daughter of Jay and Diane James, is the recipient of a Wilkins Foundation Theatre Scholarship. At Derby, she participated in drama, track, choir and robotics. She is undecided on a major.

Morgan Lowry, daughter of Stephanie Lowry, is the recipient of a Natural Science Department Scholarship. She plans to major in pre-dentistry.

Kile Taylor, son of Jaime Taylor, is the recipient of an ACT Scholarship. At Derby, he was involved in the marching band. He plans to major in pre-dentistry.

Kaylen Artherton, daughter of Richard and Dena Artherton, is the recipient of a Duck Dash 2013 and John and Olive Kappler Scholarship. 

At Dexter, she was involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, Drug Free Dexter, Bigs and Littles in Schools, and the National Honor Society. She plans to major in sports management.

Ben Basham, son of Richard and Shelley Basham, is the recipient of a Tiger Scholarship. At Douglass, he participated in cross country, basketball, tennis, band, madrigals, musicals, KAY, FCCLA, FCA and SADD. He was a member of the high honor roll and plans to major in pre-veterinary medicine.

Riley Provo, daughter of H.J. and Paula Provo, is the recipient of a Donald and Wilda Patterson Scholarship. At El Dorado, she was involved in drama, band, tennis and swimming. She plans to major in psychology.

Brett Hartman, son of Kevin and Marcia Hartman, is the recipient of a Pike Construction scholarship. He plans to major in welding.

Samantha Myatt, daughter of Doug Myatt and Teresa Woodward, is the recipient of a Tiger Academic Scholarship. At Oxford, she was the football and basketball team manager, was the student council president for two years, and was involved in KAYs, FFA, theatre, forensics and the Old Mill Program. She was Miss Oxford 2015-16 and plans to major in pre-law.

Ciara Wiley, daughter of Jason Wiley, is the recipient of a Boyer Trust Scholarship. At South Haven, she was involved in softball, basketball, band, volleyball, color guard, track, scholars bowl, the Junior Engineering Technology Society and the National Honor Society. She was a member of the honor roll and plans to major in early childhood education.

Patrick Hollman, son of Terry and Alice Hollman, is the recipient of an ACT scholarship. At Wellington, he was a member of the honor roll and plans to major in pre-engineering.

Joshua Quanz, son of Phillip and Suzanne Quanz, is the recipient of a Work Ethic Scholarship. At Wellington, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He plans to major in non-destructive testing.

Wichita South High School

Brandy Batemon, daughter of Anthony and Stephanie Schroeder, is the recipient of a Creative Writing Scholarship. At Wichita South, she was involved in the choir and was a member of the honor roll. She plans to major in creative writing.

Jake Roberts, son of Scott and Tammy Roberts, is the recipient of a Duck Dash Scholarship. He plans to major in pre-engineering.

St. Michael Kipsombe (Kenya) High School

Simion Melly, son of Kimeli Christine Chumba, is the recipient of a Larry and Carlla Pike Scholarship. At St. Michael Kipsombe, he was involved in track, cross country and debate. His major is in pre-nursing.

Source: Cowley awards scholarships to students from 13 schools

Over 20 thousands students await fee reimbursement in Bijnor

Summary: Under this scheme, over 40,000 students had applied online for fee reimbursement in Bijnor district in the 2015-16 academic session.As per data available with the social welfare department, only 20,000 students have received fee reimbursement while the other students get only 'funds unavailable' message when they check online.Talking to TOI, Rajkumar, a student of Devta Degree College, said, "I had applied for fee reimbursement last year. "Fee is reimbursed online in the student's bank account. He further added that the government has not allocated funds for the scheme due to which the other students are not likely to receive the scholarship amount. Several students pursuing various courses come to my office seeking information on the same." Bijnor: Over 20,000 students in Bijnor district, hailing from economically weaker sections, are yet to receive fee reimbursement even though almost a year has passed after applying for the same.For the welfare of students from deprive d sections of the society, the state government had introduced a scholarship scheme under which the fees paid would be reimbursed by the authorities.

Bijnor: Over 20,000 students in Bijnor district, hailing from economically weaker sections, are yet to receive fee reimbursement even though almost a year has passed after applying for the same.For the welfare of students from deprived sections of the society, the state government had introduced a scholarship scheme under which the fees paid would be reimbursed by the authorities. Under this scheme, over 40,000 students had applied online for fee reimbursement in Bijnor district in the 2015-16 academic session.As per data available with the social welfare department, only 20,000 students have received fee reimbursement while the other students get only 'funds unavailable' message when they check online.Talking to TOI, Rajkumar, a student of Devta Degree College, said, "I had applied for fee reimbursement last year. Even after a year, government has not deposited a single penny in my account." A student of Rajneesh Pratap College, Mahendra Singh, echoes the same concern.

"I h ad taken admission in this college thinking that my fee will be reimbursed by the government but my hopes have gone down the drain," he added.When TOI contacted district welfare officer, Anupam Rai, he said, "So far, the fee was reimbursed to around 50 per cent students of session 2015-2016. Several students pursuing various courses come to my office seeking information on the same." "Fee is reimbursed online in the student's bank account. There is no role for the department in this scheme.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Over-20-thousands-students-await-fee-reimbursement-in-Bijnor/articleshow/54270519.cms

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Source: Over 20 thousands students await fee reimbursement in Bijnor

US tycoon's China scholarship project opens doors in Beijing

BEIJING (AP) — A new scholarship program intended to rival the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships and build understanding between China and the world opened its doors at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University on Saturday.

The program, founded by Wall Street tycoon Stephen Schwarzman, covers all expenses for students in a one-year master's degree program that will also emphasize cultural immersion, travel around China, and efforts to grasp and understanding the world's second-largest economy and rising superpower.

Chosen from more than 3,000 applicants, the 110 Schwarzman Scholars represent 32 countries, with 44 percent from the United States and 21 percent from China. The program hopes to eventually provide support for as many as 200 scholars yearly.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Schwarzman said the program had sought out students who were not just talented, but creative and insightful, with strong leadership and communications skills. Drawn from the sciences, business and even the military, they will go on to be "people of influence" who can explain China to the world and the world to China, he said.

"In a world of populism and strong views on the internet, there need to be people who can explain such complex issues," Schwarzman said.

Launched in 2013, the program has drawn support from the top ranks of the ruling Communist Party, one reason Schwarzman said he wasn't concerned about possible infringements on academic freedom. Chinese universities remain strictly limited in what they can teach and discuss in areas such as politics and history, and President Xi Jinping's government has redoubled calls to rid classrooms and textbooks of the influence of universal values and Western concepts of human rights and participatory democracy.

Schwarzman said the program fit perfectly with Xi's call to elevate at least two Chinese universities into the top global rankings in coming years.

"We're in the sweet spot of what China is trying to do," he said.

The Schwarzman scholarship program aims for an endowment of $450 million, of which $200 million has already been raised from private sources, including a $100 million gift from Schwarzman, a co-founder of the private equity Blackstone Group.

Students will live in the Schwarzman College, a building designed by Robert A.M. Stern, dean of Yale University's architecture school, and based on residential buildings at Yale, Harvard, Oxford and other elite schools.

Members of the program's advisory board include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and ex-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Rudd attended Saturday's event, which also featured video greetings from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and first lady Michelle Obama. Former secretaries of state Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and Henry Kissinger also sit on the board, along with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Source: US tycoon's China scholarship project opens doors in Beijing

HOPE falls short of meeting scholarship needs for low-income students, report says

Georgia's public colleges are increasingly out of reach for low- and middle income students, according to a new report.

The lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship, which students are awarded based on grades and test scores, helps hundreds of thousands of students. But for many it's just not enough, and harder to hold onto for students who must also work to pay their way through college, according to Georgia Budget and Policy Institute senior education policy analyst Claire Suggs.

"Paying for college is now a struggle for many students and their families, especially those at the lowest income levels," Suggs wrote.

Now it's time for Georgia to focus on building need-based scholarship programs, especially if the state is to have the kind of educated workforce needed for the jobs of tomorrow, according to the GBPI report.

Suggs found that HOPE Scholarship money disproportionately goes to white and Asian-American students, and disproportionately less to African American and Hispanic students when she analyzed statistics from the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia. Also left out: older students, the analysis found.

The Technical College System of Georgia is the state's system of publicly-funded technical colleges, including Athens Technical College; The University System of Georgia, which includes the University of Georgia, is the state's publicly-funded system of 29 colleges and universities.

Median tuition and fees at state public four-year colleges is now 44 percent of the median income of families in the lowest 20 percent of income, according to the report.

Only 30 percent of low-income students receive either the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship, while 42 percent of middle and upper income students do; and low-income students now are about 48 percent of students in the university system, Suggs found.

The HOPE Scholarship covers about 84 percent of tuition costs, and the Zell Miller Scholarship, harder to get, covers 100 percent of tuition, but neither covers the additional fees colleges charge, nor other expenses such as food, shelter and books. Many students from modest or low-income families also get a federal Pell grant to help pay for college — including about two-thirds of black students and more than half of Hispanic students, compared to about a third of white students, Suggs wrote.

The numbers of students who need help has also increased sharply, Suggs found. About 27 percent of students in the university system as of fall 2006 got a Pell grant; by fall 2014, 44.5 percent were receiving Pell grants, Suggs found.

But the average Pell grant of $3,634 only covers about 22 percent of what it costs to attend the average state public college, and only about 15 percent at research universities such as the University of Georgia. About 97,000 students had unmet financial need in 2013-14, even with scholarships and a $5,500 subsided loan.

And while poverty has been growing in Georgia, tuition costs have risen steeply as the state legislature cut back on education funding. Tuition and fees now account for about half the cost of operating the university system, up from about 25 percent in the 1990s, Suggs found.

Adding it all up, Suggs found an unmet student financial aid need of $660 million as of the 2013-2014 school year — compared to $28.8 million available in need-based aid.

One result has been increasing student debt levels as students and their families borrow money to make it through college.

And money is a major reason students are forced out of college — state colleges and universities dropped about 13,000 students from fall 2014 to fall 2015 because they couldn't come up with money for tuition and fees, Suggs wrote.

Students can work, but researchers have found when students work too many hours, they're more likely to drop out.

Suggs also found:

• 20 percent of black students and 36 percent of Hispanic students receive either a HOPE Scholarship, or the Zell Miller Scholarship. About 46 percent of Asian students and 45 percent of white students get HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships. Nearly two-thirds of students who get HOPE are white, or 64 percent, while 78 percent of the Zell Miller Scholars are white, though whites now make up only about 52 percent of the students in Georgia colleges, down from 65 percent a decade ago.

• A higher percentage of low-income students have gotten access to merit-based aid in the Technical College System of Georgia, according to the report. But like the HOPE Scholarship, the HOPE Grant falls short of meeting what students actually need to attend technical college, according to Suggs' analysis.

"The limited reach of Georgia's financial aid portfolio is not sufficient to meet the state's workforce development goals in today's rapidly changing and fiercely competitive global economy," Suggs wrote. "In a quickly diversifying state that also struggles with widespread poverty, students need more options to gain valued skills and enter successful careers, regardless of their families' background or bank account."

The report also proposed three potential remedies, beginning with creating a state needs-based financial aid program, independent of the HOPE program.

Lawmakers could also restore the HOPE Grant in technical colleges to its original form, when it paid full tuition and fees, instead of just a portion.

Lawmakers could also expand the HOPE Scholarships eligibility to include people who have been out of high school more than seven years, the GBPI report suggests. That would help older students in their 20s and 30s, and fit with a state initiative that encourages older people who dropped out of post-secondary school to go back and finish, Suggs wrote.

Follow reporter Lee Shearer at www.facebook.com/LeeShearerABH or https://twitter.com/LeeShearer

Source: HOPE falls short of meeting scholarship needs for low-income students, report says

Ortom offers scholarship to six indigent children

From Magnus Eze, Abuja The Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) has vowed to punish any engineer found to have compromised standards in the four-storey building that collapsed recently at Citec Villa, Gwarimpa, Abuja. Registrar of COREN, Mr. Kamila Maliki, stated this when he led a team of engineers to the scene of the…

Source: Ortom offers scholarship to six indigent children