By Megan Arends

muarends@yahoo.com

Scholars manage to keep their dollars as Madonna University offers financial aid to help students earn a higher education.

Madonna University will host ‘Dollars for Scholars’ which will help further educate students on the benefits of receiving financial aid. The event will take place December 6, 2008, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., January 19, 2009, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., and February 5, 2009, 5:30-7 p.m. in Kresge Hall.  During these days, students will learn about merit scholarships, financial aid, an overview of all Madonna University scholarships, followed by a presentation of how financial aid works. Students interested in applying for financial aid must complete their FAFSA online as soon as possible after Jan. 1 in order to be registered for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Like other universities, Madonna realizes how tough it can be for college students these days with the economic meltdown. Madonna University aims to make receiving a degree more accessible and affordable. “With more than 100 unique scholarships, university merit scholarships, and athletic grants, all students are encouraged to apply. Star athletes and scholars are not the only students likely to be awarded,” said Candace Lambert, Marketing Officer. “Categories for all student scholarships range from hearing impaired, alumni association, volunteerism, and music performance.”

In the 2007-2008 academic year, 74 percent of Madonna students acquired some sort of financial aid like scholarships, grants and student loans. “Generous benefactors, well-managed resources, and efficient budgeting enable Madonna University to award more than $1.6 million in institutional aid annually to students,” said Michael Kenney, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “With rising educational costs, along with the increasing importance of a college degree, focusing on student scholarships and financial aid is more important now than ever.” One scholarship the university offers is the Madonna University Trustee Scholarship. “First-year Madonna student Amber Kirvan, was awarded the Madonna University Trustee Scholarship. The $48,000 four-year scholarship will provide Kirvan with funds for tuition and on-campus living,” said Lambert.

In order to qualify for the Trustee Scholarship, a student must be enrolled full-time at Madonna, have a GPA of at least 3.8 and an ACT score of at least 29. “I heard about the Trustee Scholarship when I went to an open house at Madonna. There is also information online, which is where I found the application,” said Kirvan, Psychology major. “A good idea would be to apply early for scholarships. You really have nothing to lose by applying, and good grades always help.”

Another scholarship program Madonna is associated with is the Latinos de Livonia scholarship, awarding Hispanic students with a GPA of 2.5 or better who have demonstrated a financial need. Initiated at Madonna University in 1989, the Latinos de Livonia scholarship fund now totals more than $100,000. A minimum of $25,000 is needed to create an endowed scholarship at Madonna. In the past, Latinos de Livonia has granted 64 scholarships to nearly 50 students. Some students even received scholarship renewals.

This year, Latinos de Livonia awarded four scholarships to Madonna students and honored them at a November 8 dinner. The recipients of the award are Emma Aviles, Andrea Jimenez, Angelica Rodriguez, and Laura Castro. “I come from a family that cannot afford college tuition and without scholarships, a higher education would be financially out of my reach,” said Aviles, Criminal Justice major. “It is an honor to be a recipient of this award because it motivates me to follow my goals and dreams.”

For more detailed information on how to receive financial aid visit Madonna University’s website at www.madonna.edu or talk to your financial aid advisor.