Osher Foundation donates $50,000 to support returning students

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: 907-474-7778
04/30/08

Students returning to the University of Alaska Fairbanks could receive a financial boost from a new scholarship funded through a $50,000 donation from the Bernard Osher Foundation.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program will award a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000 to no fewer than 12 baccalaureate-degree-seeking students whose education has been interrupted for five years or more. Preference will be given to students between the ages of 25 and 50 who show academic promise and commitment to obtaining a degree.

"This is another step forward in reducing debt obligations for UAF students, which is a high-priority focus of our institution," said Judyth Wier, associate vice chancellor for development. "To meet the needs of our nontraditional students and the wider needs of our community, UAF is dedicated to programs like this to ensure our campus is a welcoming environment for people willing and ready to learn."

The Osher Foundation has funded UAF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for the last three years. The success of that partnership led to the invitation to apply. "It is a great compliment to have the strong partnership with Osher that we enjoy," said Wier.

Recognizing that students returning to the university may face particular challenges, the Osher Foundation selects institutions that have established services to address their needs. The foundation currently funds re-entry programs at 59 universities in more than two dozen states and the District of Columbia.

The scholarship will be available to students in fall 2008. Interested applicants should contact the UAF financial aid office.

CONTACT: Julie Parshall, scholarship coordinator, at 907-474-5372 or via e-mail fnjcp1@uaf.edu, or Carla Browning, media relations manager, at 907-474-7778.

ON THE WEB:
www.uaf.edu/finaid/
www.osherfoundation.org/