here for the latest job news, tips, and more!
"An Incredible Opportunity"
BU Scholarships Reward Bright Community College Grads
Alphonso Westley never dreamed he'd be able to attend Boston University. He couldn't afford it. That was until his assistant dean at Roxbury Community College told him about a little-known scholarship program that enables students from Boston community colleges to go to BU's Metropolitan College for 50 percent off the tuition price.
Westley applied, and to his surprise, won the scholarship. He couldn't believe his good luck. "This is an incredible opportunity. I am going to BU for basically what it cost me to go to a community college."
Actually, it was more than luck that landed Westley at BU. The scholarship requirements are rigorous; students must graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or above from their community college to be considered. Westley's 3.8 made him a perfect candidate, but it doesn't stop there. Scholarship recipients, "community scholars" as they are called, must maintain a 3.0 average to keep the scholarship.
"It's a lot of work, but worth it," says Westley, who balances his schoolwork with his Americorps job. "The professors are amazing. The experience has given me a whole new perspective on what I want to do."
There are 25 scholarships available annually for community colleges partnering with BU in this program. Currently, partners include Bunker Hill Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, and Roxbury Community College. Most recently, Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester was added to the list.
"We were approached by a student from Quinsigamond with the idea that BU's business management studies program complements the Quinsigamond fast-track business program," says Ellen Peterson, director of undergraduate student services at BU's Metropolitan College. The faculty and administrators agreed that it was a natural fit and the partnership between the two was formed.
"The partnerships with the community colleges are extremely important to us," says Peterson. "The scholarship program gives us a chance to reach out to qualified students and gives the university a way to give back to the community."
Although students from the partnership schools get first dibs on the scholarship, anyone who is graduating from a community college can apply. In fact, 7 percent of the scholarships have been awarded to Massachusetts community colleges other than the listed partnership schools.
So far, those involved agree that the program has been a huge success. "We have a very low rate of failure," says Peterson. "We work hard to make sure the scholars receive the support and services they need to succeed." This year only 4 percent of the students lost their scholarship for academic reasons.
"Many of these community scholars will be first-generation college graduates," says Katherine Meyer, community programs manager at BU's Metropolitan College. "We have so many wonderful applicants. They work hard and understand the value of their education."
Westley, who is slated to graduate in June 2009 with a BS in urban affairs, has advice for anyone who may be interested in becoming a BU community scholar. "Go for it," he says. "The advisors at BU want to see you prosper and they'll help you through the process."
