Thursday, March 20, 2014

Kansas State University expands scholarship opportunities for distance education students

MANHATTAN, KAN. — Kansas State University degrees are within closer financial reach for distance education students thanks to new scholarships offered through the Division of Continuing Education in partnership with university colleges and departments. Seven new scholarships for students in degree-seeking online programs are available for summer, fall and spring semesters.

The College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship for Distance Education Students and College of Business Administration Scholarship for Distance Education Students provide undergraduate and graduate students with $1,000 scholarships.

"The impact of a scholarship to an online student in our business degree programs is immediate," said Stacy Kovar, associate dean for academic programs in the College of Business Administration. "As working professionals furthering their education, they will see an immediate impact on their career readiness and progression. With full-time lives and families, scholarships provide important motivation and assistance in moving to the next stage of their career."

Both the Human Nutrition Scholarship for Distance Education Students, offered through the College of Human Ecology, and the College of Technology and Aviation Scholarship for Distance Education Students provide a $1,000 scholarship to undergraduate students enrolled in those degree areas.

The College of Agriculture Scholarship for Distance Education Students offers scholarships in the amounts of $600 for undergraduate students and $900 to graduate students.

Graduate students in education and engineering programs can benefit from the College of Education Scholarship for Distance Education Graduate Students and the College of Engineering Scholarship for Distance Education Graduate Students, both awarding $1,000.

"We are excited to provide scholarships to our graduate students taking their courses through the Division of Continuing Education," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "We believe these scholarship opportunities will demonstrate support for these professionals who are enhancing their career credentials through an advanced degree while balancing busy lives."

In addition to the launch of new scholarships, the Division of Continuing Education Scholarship for Distance Education Students is now available to students for the summer semester as well as spring and fall.

Dave Stewart, associate dean of the Division of Continuing Education, says the division has offered to match up to $5,000 in scholarships from each college.

"We are very appreciative that these colleges have joined us in this partnership to provide much needed scholarship support for distance students. This greatly expands the number and amount of available scholarship opportunities and will contribute significantly to student retention and success," Stewart said.

The application deadline for summer and fall semester scholarships is April 1. View a complete listing of the division's scholarships and application requirements at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/students/services/scholarships.