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Scholarships do more than ease financial burdens. They say “yes” to students’ choices and successes, helping them find

The direction of their dreams

About one in six KU students gets assistance and encouragement through a KU scholarship. Monetarily, that means anything from a few hundred dollars to an annually renewable package covering up to 20 percent above the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board. Some students couldn’t come to KU at all without scholarships. Others graduate with less debt to manage. And for some, the honor of receiving a scholarship means the most.

In the 2006 - 2007 year, more than 5,000 students received a part of the $23.5 million that KU Endowment gave out in scholarships, fellowships and awards. This support went to students from 101 of the 105 Kansas counties. Students from 43 other states, the District of Columbia and 50 other countries also received direct support.

Who gets a scholarship?

Getting a scholarship at KU depends on several factors:

  • academic criteria set by KU;
  • additional academic criteria set by individual schools;
  • criteria set by KU Endowment donors for the funds they create;
  • and the amount of support available from individual scholarship funds for which the student meets set criteria — as well as the number of students competing for that funding.

Two kinds of scholarship funds

Most scholarship recipients at KU receive support from several different scholarship funds. Some of these funds were created as endowed (permanent) funds by donors decades ago. Endowed funds are permanently invested, and a portion of the returns provides support year after year.

Some are general scholarship funds, which may be university wide or for specific majors only. Many donors contribute annually to these funds, which can be spent immediately.

How much scholarship funding is available?

Over the past five years, KU Endowment scholarship support has ranged from $21.7 million to $23.6 million annually. The amount fluctuates from year to year based on:

  • the number of students who apply for scholarships and receive them;
  • the investment performance of endowed scholarship funds;
  • and annual gifts for scholarships, which can be awarded immediately.

To make a gift in support of scholarships, call Dan Almanza, development director for scholarship support, 785.832.7341 or 1.800.444.4201 ext. 341.

To see the full version of this and many other stories, please download a copy of our new magazine, KU Giving.