Those funds can only be applied to purchase textbooks, computers, and academic supplies at the HSU Bookstore. The scholarship program will be for new students entering in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022.
Beyond that, the University anticipates using a portion of net Bookstore sales to continue and possibly expand these scholarships to more students.
The scholarship program comes at a critical moment for millions of students and their families across the country who continue to face financial hardships as the pandemic wears on.
“Seeing students succeed is what matters most to our leadership team at HSU. We are making every effort to remove as many barriers as possible so that college is affordable and accessible,” says Jason L. Meriwether, vice president for Enrollment Management. “The University sincerely believes this investment in student success will lead to increased persistence and completion for our students.
The scholarships are made possible through funding from the second COVID-19 relief package known as the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Billions in federal dollars have been given directly to higher education institutions in two rounds of federal funding with more expected under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. HSU has already allocated nearly $10 million in emergency grants to current HSU students.
Now, with the new scholarship program, help is on the way for first-time, first year HSU students.
“We know how tough COVID-19 has been on families, and as a student-centered institution, we want to help,” says Stephen St. Onge, associate vice president for Student Success. “This money helps families overcome some significant barriers at the onset of college attendance.”