(ALPINE) - Sul Ross State University has announced the availability $75,000 in scholarships for area high school graduates and community college transfer students who are currently applying for the fall 2013 semester. The scholarships will be awarded at two levels.
Six students – one each from Alpine, Presidio, Marfa, Marathon, Fort Davis and Fort Stockton high schools who graduate in the top 25 percent of their class – will receive $3,000 scholarships. Applicants will be submitted to the superintendents of each school district. The superintendent will select one student from his/her respective school to receive the $3,000 scholarship.
In addition, Sul Ross will provide $1,000 scholarships to 37 area high school students who graduate in the top half of their class and who apply at Sul Ross. The university will also award $1,000 scholarships to 20 transfer students who are members of Phi Beta Kappa or transfer with a 3.0 or higher GPA from Midland College, Odessa College, El Paso Community College, San Antonio College or Howard College.
Funding for the scholarships was made possible through the Texas State University System’s refinancing of Sul Ross’ construction bond debt earlier this year, which saved the university $1.8 million. That money will be used to fund scholarships for Sul Ross students through 2022.
"I’m pleased that we were able to save Sul Ross nearly two million dollars by refinancing construction debt, and I can’t think of a better way to invest that money than making sure students from the Big Bend region have the opportunity to attend college close to home," said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall.
"These scholarships illustrate Sul Ross’ commitment to serving students from our neighboring school districts and community colleges," said SRSU President Ricardo Maestas. "Recruiting and retaining students from this area is critical to the long-term success of Sul Ross, and we want Sul Ross to contribute to students’ success as well."
The Texas State University System is Texas’ first university system, comprising eight institutions stretching from west Texas to the Gulf of Mexico.