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Liberty increases investment in scholarship program for local students

Engaging the local community has been a part of Liberty University’s mission since the school’s founding. Now, the university is investing in local high school students through a new scholarship program for those who have attended Lynchburg City Schools from ninth through 12th grades.

The Stay Close, Go Far Promise Scholarship Program, sponsored and funded by the nonprofit Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, is the first local initiative of its kind in Virginia. Starting in Fall 2019, the program pledges to invest up to $8,000 per student over four years to go toward tuition at a partnering higher education institution. Though Liberty is one of six area institutions to join the program, the university recently announced that it is taking its involvement a step further by providing an additional $8,000 to help with the cost of meal plans. Now, through Liberty and Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, eligible Lynchburg City School graduates could receive up to $16,000 in scholarship aid over four years at Liberty.

“With Beacon of Hope’s support, we are excited to change lives for our city and our city’s workforce,” said Rob Ritz, Liberty’s executive vice president of finance.

Ritz said the total combination of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope funds, federal support, and Liberty aid will exceed $730,000 per year for Liberty students when the program is fully phased in.

Greg Dowell, Liberty’s vice president of equity and inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, is also supporting the effort.

“Liberty’s division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is creating programs that will help ensure academic success of each Beacon of Hope recipient,” Dowell said.

Beacon of Hope was established in 2011 to prepare at-risk students to excel in higher education and remove the barriers that keep students from attending college. The organization, which is supported by private donations, operates centers at both of the city’s two high schools that serve as hubs for all college and career readiness programming. Liberty students regularly serve as mentors at the centers, helping high school students with improving study skills, filling out FASFA and Financial Aid applications, and preparing for the ACT and SAT.

Laura Hamilton, executive director of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, said the organization is excited to partner with Liberty and other institutions to fill the financial gap that prevents LCS graduates from continuing their education.

“This scholarship is a game changer for our local students,” Hamilton said. “When we first started, Liberty’s President Jerry Falwell was a huge supporter in our idea that no ZIP code should define where a student attends school. Since then, this partnership has blossomed, and we could not do it without the help of Liberty.”

Liberty has several scholarship opportunities available for incoming students, including the new Middle America Scholarship, which was announced last month, as well as discounts on tuition for military families and first responders.

For details on the new scholarship program and other scholarship opportunities available for students, go to Liberty.edu/Scholarships.

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