Transforming Learning: UC2019 Boosts Merit, First-Generation Scholarships

First-generation undergraduate college students are children of parents who either did not attend college or did not complete a college degree. Nationally, they’re among the students who are most at-risk for dropping out of college. UC President Gregory H. Williams was also a first-generation college student. President Williams dedicated $180,000 in institutional aid this fall in a pilot initiative to help support 30 first-year, first generation UC college students who demonstrated financial need and whose high school grade-point-average was above a 3.2.

UC this fall is also welcoming the first class of 20 Provost Scholars in the University Honors Program. The pilot program provided $160,000 in scholarship funding from the 2019 Strategic Plan.

Outstanding first-year college students who had applied to UC last year and who fit the requirements of the University Honors Program were invited to a special event last spring, then selected for the Provost Scholar awards. Participants held an average ACT score of 33. The funding recognizes UC’s academically talented, unique and promising students.

The University Honors Program encompasses the top 5 percent of UC’s undergraduate students. University Honors focuses on unique and challenging academic and hands-on experiences that reflect the themes of community engagement, global studies, leadership, research and the creative arts.

With 349 incoming freshmen, the program reports it is welcoming its largest class of freshmen in five years.

There are a total of 1,279 undergraduates participating in the University Honors Program.

More than 18 percent of the incoming class of Honors students identify as a student of color.

UC’s Cincinnatus Excellence Scholarship Program received an additional $160,000 in UC2019 funding. The program, aimed at building the number of UC’s National Merit Finalists, awards in-state tuition and campus housing to finalists in the National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship Programs. Nationally, these students represent the top 1 percent of all high school graduates.

UC2019 sets a target goal of enrolling 200 National Merit Finalists and this fall UC will have a record number of 157 enrolled, up from 135 in 2010. Among the 157 this fall, UC is welcoming 45 incoming freshmen Merit finalists, tying the record number entering as freshmen last fall.

UC2019 – Accelerating Our Transformation