Kentucky State University’s Whitney Young School of Honors and Liberal Studies (WYS) in the past has made some funds available to help students registered in WYS to participate in the current semester of the honors program and various study-abroad programs. Since applications for these Whitney Young School scholarships (grants-in-aid) must be submitted before the student’s own funding decisions are made, and because funds, if available, are very limited, applicants should not rely solely on a scholarship from WYS and should rely primarily on alternative sources of funding besides WYS (including Federal Financial Aid, foundations, family, etc.).
The Criteria Used for Awarding WYS Scholarships
The criteria used for awarding scholarships are primarily measures of merit, with merit determined by a combination of GPA and general scholarly excellence as shown in classroom attendance, attitude, participation, and ability. However, other criteria such as the following may play a decisive role: 1.) the availability of funds, and an equitable distribution of the available funds; 2.) the applicant’s enrollment in courses of Whitney Young School amounting to twelve semester hours or above, or the applicant’s declared major or minor in Liberal Studies; 3.) maintaining good and responsible behavior as a Whitney Young School student; 4.) the applicant’s financial need.
The Process by which Scholarships are awarded
Applications are solicited from continuing students at the end of each semester, and from incoming students at the start of each semester. Applications must state the amount requested and reasons for the request in this amount. In particular, applicants must specify evidence that their performance merits the amount requested. After the application deadline the WYS Scholarship Committee, a committee of three WYS faculty members elected annually by the entire faculty of WYS, meets to discuss the applications and to determine the awards to be made on the basis of the criteria outlined above. Some funds are reserved each year for students who engage in KSU's study-abroad programs; when those programs are announced students are told if funds are available, and again applications are solicited. The same criteria and process are used for these awards as for other awards. After the Committee’s decisions are made, students are immediately notified by letter of the amount of their awards, and copies of the letters are transmitted to KSU’s Office of Financial Aid.
The Renewal Process
All awards are granted for a period of time not to exceed one semester (many study-abroad programs are for a shorter period). At the end of each fall semester, students who received an award for normal academic expenses for that semester may request a renewal of that award for the spring semester. The renewal of their awards is based on their continuing to meet the criteria specified above. These applications are then considered along with any new applications the committee may receive and are subject to the same criteria and process as new applications.
Application Procedure
To be eligible for a scholarship, each applicant must fulfill the following requirements:
• Be a student in good standing registered for the honors core or a Liberal Studies major or minor in Whitney Young School;
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better;
• Complete a FAFSA form for the current semester and place it on file in KSU’s Office of Financial Aid before applying for a WYS grant-in-aid;
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Complete a WYS Application for Grant-in-Aid (for a copy of the form, click here:
Scholarship Application Form );
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Write a word-processed formal letter clearly stating in detail why this award should be given to the applicant, with particular attention to the applicant’s merit and need for financial assistance. Transmit the signed letter and the signed, completed application form to the Chairperson, Whitney Young School Scholarship Committee, 133-A Carver Hall, Kentucky State University, Frankfort KY 40601. Letters received by the announced deadline will be given priority.
If applying for a grant-in-aid for study abroad, complete an application for the appropriate study-abroad program and course (e.g., CCSA, KIIS, or BCA) and transmit a copy of this application to the chairperson of the Scholarship Committee at the address above.