LU makes major new investment in academic scholarships

Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. has announced that Liberty University has dramatically increased scholarship dollars it will award to academically strong, incoming residential students for the Fall 2010 semester.

The increased aid is designed to ensure that Liberty University attracts students who have excelled in high school. Top-ranked students will be eligible to receive 25 percent more in academic scholarships than in previous years.

“Over the last year, the university stepped up and provided additional need-based grants to over 400 students whose families were struggling due to the faltering national economy. Now, beginning with the Fall 2010 term, we also want to invest more on the academic scholarship side,” said Chris Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Academic scholarship eligibility is based on a combination of the student’s high school cumulative grade point average and SAT/ACT scores.

Projections show that these new student academic scholarships, when combined with other institutional aid, will total more than $10,000 per student. Students will also be awarded an additional $3,750 per year if selected to participate in the LU Honors program. Virginia residents and students qualifying for need-based federal grants could receive additional aid that will cover the full cost of tuition.

Dr. Larry Hoezee, Executive Director for Residential Enrollment, is excited about this new emphasis: “We know from research that academically strong students help shape a great learning environment for ALL students. They contribute to the reputation of the university, the interaction in the classrooms and even the conversations in the residence halls.”

For the current Fall 2009 semester, a new Faculty Achievement Scholarship and additional aid to students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation have been established.

According to Dr. Robert Ritz, Executive Director of Financial Aid, the total investment in these new academic scholarships over the next four years will exceed $3 million.

“We are investing in these worthy, strong students. This will be great for students who have worked hard in school,” he said. “I believe our faculty and alumni will be pleased with this investment and its effect on the academic standing of the university as well.”