By Ashley S. Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - As high school students around the country begin the search for their college of choice, their parents are wondering how that education is going to be paid for.
Financial records show that Campbellsville University students from Taylor County received $6,584,386 in financial aid this year, according to Chris Tolson, director of financial aid at CU.
That figure includes institutional financial aid, endowed scholarships, state and federal financial aid, grants and student loans.
Campbellsville University awarded Taylor County students $2,054,114 in aid directly from the university this year.
“The fact that we are able to help so many local students further their education is a huge statement for this university,” said Dr. Michael V. Carter, president.
“We have given over $2 million to students from our community to help provide them with an affordable education, and those students received total financial aid of more than $6.5 million, which is just remarkable,” Carter said. “These numbers show a firm commitment in the future of the youth from Campbellsville and Taylor County.
“Campbellsville University has a strong commitment to keep CU affordable especially for our local students,” Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, said. “A lot of families think they can go to a larger, state school cheaper, but, in the long run, CU provides various aid programs that, in many cases, can make their total cost very close or even less than state supported universities.”
“We are proud of our commitment to see that we can work with any student to find the best possible financial aid package available for their own needs,” he said.
Walters said Taylor County students receive an average of over $9,600 each year in financial aid in grants and scholarships alone.
He said a recent economic impact study done for CU showed that a typical college graduate who remains in the local economy for a 25-year career makes a greater economic impact than a typical high school graduate. The figure is $2.0 million for a college graduate and $1.1 million for a high school graduate.
This year, Campbellsville University awarded Taylor County students $531,753 in academic scholarships.
Academic scholarships are awarded to students based on ACT or SAT scores combined with their high school GPA and class ranking.
Campbellsville University offers the following academic scholarships: Heartland Award, $2,500; Special Recognition Scholarship, $5,000; Academic Scholarship, $6,000; and Dean's Scholarship, $8,000.
CU also awards a Presidential Scholarship, which is for full tuition, to five students each year, and those who apply must have a combination of at least a 3.5 GPA and have scored at least a 30 on the ACT or 1980 on the SAT.
The Presidential Excellence Scholarship is awarded to one student each year and is for full tuition plus room and board. This scholarship is for students who have at least a 3.5 GPA and have scored at least a 33 on the ACT or 2170 on the SAT.
CU also awards scholarships to those students who were selected for the Governor Scholar program in Kentucky. Five of the Governor Scholar Scholarships are given each year and are for full tuition. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA and at least have scored a 25 on the ACT or 1720 on the SAT.
CU also awarded $144,120 in athletic scholarships to Taylor County students.
“The financial aid offered to Taylor County students has a direct impact on this community in several ways,” Walters said.
“Campbellsville University is investing in the lives of our local students and families. That investment will provide tremendous dividends for them and their families for many years to come,” Walters said.
“That type of investment is also an investment into the community of Campbellsville and Taylor County.When you see all the Campbellsville University alumni serving in the community government, churches, school systems and local businesses in Taylor County, you begin to understand the impact of this investment.
“This investment into Taylor County benefits Campbellsville University every time we tell the success stories of Taylor County and its many opportunities,” Walters said.
“A college education is a major commitment and requires financial planning. We understand the significant value of investing in our local community and are committed to helping them pay for an education at Campbellsville University,” Tolson said.
“We accomplish this by providing aid resources through academic, athletic, talent and need-based aid programs,” she said.
“On average, Taylor county residents receive over $9,600 in grants and scholarships alone. Most students and families will find that these grants and scholarships combined with low interest loans help make obtaining a college degree from Campbellsville very affordable,” she said.
Tolson said students and parents need to start the process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, which can be done online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
“Our staff is trained and is ready to help answer any questions these parents or students may have,” Tolson said.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2008 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.