Nov. 3, 2010
OP-ED: Turning Potential Into Success
Scholarship Donors Make College Affordable and Accessible
By Ryan T. Riley
With college degrees, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math, more crucial than ever to our nation’s ability to remain in the forefront of innovation in today’s competitive global economy, it’s imperative that students are afforded the means to gain these educational opportunities.
And although tuition sticker shock looms as perhaps the biggest deterrent to a college education, the significant influence of private donors who establish scholarships is closing the gap, making college—particularly private education—affordable and accessible.
Scholarships play an integral part in paying for college. Recent studies show that scholarships and grants cover an average of 15 percent of students’ college expenses. And there are more college scholarships available than ever before, thanks to the philanthropy of donors who know the challenges, financial and otherwise, of getting a college education, and the benefits of a college degree.
The value of a college education can never be overstated, particularly with the kickoff of National Scholarship Month. November was designated by the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) to raise awareness of scholarship opportunities to the college bound or those already pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. The organization works with scholarship providers to make them more effective in providing students with scholarship opportunities and exposing students to the number of awards available.
Scholarship providers make it possible for students to achieve their educational goals with little to no reliance on student loans. Which means shouldering debt for years after receiving their degree is no longer an issue.
Scholarship providers fill a vital role in the cycle of education. For the 2009-10 school year, the NSPA, whose members include small and large private foundations, community foundations, and public charities, awarded scholarships totaling $1.13 billion.
Yet, scholarships are about more than providing the money for college. They’re about eliminating all barriers to student achievement, the first step of an overall experience of creating success in students’ academic and professional lives.
A big misconception is that it’s difficult to set up a scholarship. The truth is, donors have the flexibility to decide their selection criteria, the value of the scholarship, the award period, and the duration of the fund.
National Scholarship Month is the perfect time to spotlight these donors who have made available the monetary resources students need to go to college and realize their dreams.
Their efforts help shape society because scholarships:
· Increase diversity in the workforce by opening the doors to minorities.
· Create opportunities for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
· Promote upward mobility.
· Reward achievement.
The makeup of the population on college and university campuses continues to evolve as a growing number of students take advantage of the variety of scholarship opportunities available to them. Scholarship providers, through their philanthropic spirit, are looking for the potential in students.
For this to continue, and ultimately, for higher education to be the catalyst of today’s knowledge-based economy, this potential needs to translate into success. And scholarships—and the donors who fund them—remain a critical ingredient of this objective.
* * *
Ryan T. Riley is director of development and alumni relations at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harriburg, PA. The University recently announced that it has raised nearly $38 million for academic and scholarship support through its five-year inaugural comprehensive fundraising campaign: CONNECT: The Campaign for Harrisburg University, which is scheduled to end June 30, 2011.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
OP-ED: Turning Potential Into Success
Scholarship Donors Make College Affordable and Accessible
By Ryan T. Riley
With college degrees, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math, more crucial than ever to our nation’s ability to remain in the forefront of innovation in today’s competitive global economy, it’s imperative that students are afforded the means to gain these educational opportunities.
And although tuition sticker shock looms as perhaps the biggest deterrent to a college education, the significant influence of private donors who establish scholarships is closing the gap, making college—particularly private education—affordable and accessible.
Scholarships play an integral part in paying for college. Recent studies show that scholarships and grants cover an average of 15 percent of students’ college expenses. And there are more college scholarships available than ever before, thanks to the philanthropy of donors who know the challenges, financial and otherwise, of getting a college education, and the benefits of a college degree.
The value of a college education can never be overstated, particularly with the kickoff of National Scholarship Month. November was designated by the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) to raise awareness of scholarship opportunities to the college bound or those already pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. The organization works with scholarship providers to make them more effective in providing students with scholarship opportunities and exposing students to the number of awards available.
Scholarship providers make it possible for students to achieve their educational goals with little to no reliance on student loans. Which means shouldering debt for years after receiving their degree is no longer an issue.
Scholarship providers fill a vital role in the cycle of education. For the 2009-10 school year, the NSPA, whose members include small and large private foundations, community foundations, and public charities, awarded scholarships totaling $1.13 billion.
Yet, scholarships are about more than providing the money for college. They’re about eliminating all barriers to student achievement, the first step of an overall experience of creating success in students’ academic and professional lives.
A big misconception is that it’s difficult to set up a scholarship. The truth is, donors have the flexibility to decide their selection criteria, the value of the scholarship, the award period, and the duration of the fund.
National Scholarship Month is the perfect time to spotlight these donors who have made available the monetary resources students need to go to college and realize their dreams.
Their efforts help shape society because scholarships:
· Increase diversity in the workforce by opening the doors to minorities.
· Create opportunities for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
· Promote upward mobility.
· Reward achievement.
The makeup of the population on college and university campuses continues to evolve as a growing number of students take advantage of the variety of scholarship opportunities available to them. Scholarship providers, through their philanthropic spirit, are looking for the potential in students.
For this to continue, and ultimately, for higher education to be the catalyst of today’s knowledge-based economy, this potential needs to translate into success. And scholarships—and the donors who fund them—remain a critical ingredient of this objective.
* * *
Ryan T. Riley is director of development and alumni relations at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harriburg, PA. The University recently announced that it has raised nearly $38 million for academic and scholarship support through its five-year inaugural comprehensive fundraising campaign: CONNECT: The Campaign for Harrisburg University, which is scheduled to end June 30, 2011.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
