Greater Texas Foundation awards scholarships

Due to Vice President for Student Services Susan Lara's grant writing efforts, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin has again received $25,000 from the Greater Texas Foundation for scholarships for community college transfer students.

The specific program funded at UTPB is the Rising to the Challenge Scholarship for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. Last year, 51 students received funds through this program.

This foundation "supports excellence in education by increasing access for all Texans and improving educational quality through public-private partnerships."

The Greater Texas Foundation has been in existence since 2001, and has awarded more than $6.7 million in grants to colleges and universities throughout the state. Its initiatives also support math and science education at all levels, higher education access for all students, skill enhancement for teachers, and parental and community involvement in education.

According to Lara, this is UTPB's third round of funding for Rising to the Challenge Scholarship.
Recipients participate in a student support activity on campus and this helps to acquaint new transfer students with some of the services the University provides.

Students are awarded funds from this scholarship in addition to other federal, state and UTPB scholarship support that they are receiving.

This makes a nice addition to the financial aid package and is often used to help defray costs for books, supplies, and gasoline.