Scholarships Help Students Get to Stillwater

Friday, October 16, 2009

Single mother of two among the nearly 9 percent of OSU students who transfer in

(STILLWATER, Okla., Oct. 16, 2009) – In today’s economy, many transfer students are having trouble paying for increased tuition and fees of a major university while less money is available for financial aid.

“The number of students applying for the financial aid this year at OSU has increased by 20 percent,” said Charlie Bruce, senior director of scholarship and financial aid. “The need is great. We are having more students report to us that there have been significant decreases in their family income due to job loss or reduction in hours. Scholarships go a long way in helping to fill the gap.”

Transfer scholarships have a big impact on the OSU campus, where they make up approximately 9 percent of the student body. In an uncertain economy, a scholarship can make all the difference.

“For students whose family financial situation had been or may be impacted by the economy, the receipt of a transfer scholarship may make the difference between enrolling at OSU or deferring completion of a college education,” said Margaret Betts, assistant director of special programs in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. “Transfer students bring a wealth of academic and social experience to the OSU campus, and anything we can do to help facilitate the continued enrollment of transfer students is in the best interest of Oklahoma State University.”

One such student with extra life experience is Christina Cook, a psychology junior from Stillwater. Cook’s college career began two years ago when she enrolled at Northern Oklahoma College at 26. The single mother of J.T. and Jazzmyn has completed her first year at OSU after receiving an AT&T Transfer Scholarship.

Bruce notes these scholarships are not simply charity – they are recognition of the academic achievement of students and the potential the university sees in those students’ future.

Cook urges those who can do so to donate scholarships to help students like her. She said her transfer scholarship is worth more than money.

“It’s really helpful for me to know that I’m not just relying on the state anymore (and) I can earn a degree in my own way,” Cook said. “This scholarship gives me a sense of accomplishment.”

For more information or to apply for scholarship, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at 405-744-6604 or finaid@okstate.edu. To make a donation to OSU’s General Scholarship Fund, log onto OSUgiving.com.

The OSU Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.