By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - As the economic crisis looms over the entire country, parents of high school and college students are wondering how their children's education is going to be paid for.
Campbellsville University strives to make an affordable education for all students, and financial records show that CU students from Taylor County received $6,793,494 in financial aid for the 2008-2009 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 $1,923,588 in institutional aid (aid directly from the university) this semester.
“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 almost $2 million to students from our community to help ensure them the opportunity for an affordable education, and those students received total financial aid of just under $6.8 million, which is just remarkable,” Carter said.
“With the growing financial instability of our nation, we want the community and the parents of our students to know that Campbellsville University is committed to providing affordable higher Christian education for their children.”
The total amount of financial aid awarded to all CU students is $28,563,488, which includes $12,778,193 in federal aid, $5,315,507 in state aid and $10,269,788 in institutional aid.
Campbellsville University also awards scholarships to students affiliated with the Baptist denomination. Kentucky Baptists received $4,371,588 while all Baptist students received $5,122,548.
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.
This year, Campbellsville University awarded Taylor County students $461,936 in academic scholarships. CU awarded a total of $3,343,748 in academic scholarships to all students.
CU also awarded $88,326 in athletic scholarships to Taylor County students and $2,409,758 to all students.
“The financial aid offered to Taylor County students has a direct impact on this community in several ways,” said Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services at CU.
“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. 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.”
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 . The 2009-2010 FAFSA will be available online Jan. 1, 2009.
“Our staff is trained and is ready to help answer any questions these parents or students may have,” Tolson said.
To contact the Office of Financial Aid, e-mail finaid@campbellsville.edu or call (270) 789-5013 or (800) 264-6014.
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 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 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 tenth year as president.