Terra scholarship deadline is April 1

FREMONT -- Asia Downing enrolled at Terra Community College to pursue a better life for herself and her daughter, Santana. Receiving a Terra College Foundation scholarship has made that pursuit a little easier.

This spring, Downing, a health information technology major, became the first recipient of the Terra Support Staff Local 217 scholarship. The $500 award would be relatively small at a four-year institution, but it's significant given Terra's annual tuition costs of about $3,700.

"It's great," the Fremont resident said. "It allowed me to get a calculator I needed for math class and helped pay my tuition."

Students are only eligible for scholarships if they apply, however. And to receive priority for Fall 2010 awards, students must apply by April 1.

Downing works 12 to 15 hours a week as a Federal Work Study student in the financial aid office and has taken out a student loan, but she is thankful that so many area people have been generous to support the Terra College Foundation scholarship funds. "It is really nice of people to do that," she said. "The scholarship helped me get by, and that's awesome."

One of those people is Bill Taylor, professor of Economics and Political Science at Terra. His father is a graduate of a two-year technical college on the east coast. Perhaps that is why the whole family donates to the Taylor Family Scholarship.

"I believe in the mission of the two-year school," Taylor said. "And I believe in this institution. I think I've had eight to 10 relatives attend Terra." Taylor also knows times are different from when he went to school. "We used to get help from mom and dad. Now there are so many broken homes and they can't provide the support," he said. "In this economy, it's very difficult for anyone to go to college. Young people need help wherever it comes from."

Taylor and his family participate in the foundation's annual gala and donate to the scholarship, but he's quick to point out it's a group effort. "We're not unique; a lot of people support the foundation," he said. "Most of the employees support it in some way or another. We all recognize the value in what we're doing."

While the foundation administers 73 different scholarship funds, there is a much greater need. For the 2009/2010 academic year, 235 students completed applications but only 126 were awarded. In addition, scholarship awards were provided for special events. A total of 195 scholarships were awarded totaling $163,697.

The Terra College Foundation is beginning its annual campaign. For more information how you can help, contact the foundation office at 419-559-2261.

April 1 is the priority deadline for scholarships at Terra. You must submit a completed scholarship application with two references and a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Go to www.fafsa.ed .gov and click "Fill Out Your FAFSA" or call the financial aid office at 419-559-2344 to ask about upcoming FAFSA workshops.

Call the financial aid office today at 419-559-2344 or go online at www.terra.edu to learn how to apply.