Merit-based program aids minority students

For 15 years, IU has offered the Minority Achievers Program to assist academically talented undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in any field. The program provides scholarships, mentors, a course in leadership skills, an in-service learning project and internship experience. Mentoring, advising, and course work provide a smooth transition from high school, provide positive role models, assist with identity development and encourage preparation for graduate study and professional schools.\nThe Minority Achievers Program is a merit-based program. Applicants must have high SAT or ACT scores and a 3.0 GPA. If applying for mathematics and science scholarships, students must also have advanced placement or honors courses. Applicants must also submit a typed essay and two letters of recommendation. Applicants may also include a portfolio of academic or creative work, and reports on extracurricular activities or membership in service organizations or a sustained record of work or volunteer activity. This can be used to offset slightly lower SAT or ACT scores or class rank.\n"This is a wonderful academic program, said Grace Jackson-Brown, Librarian of the Neal-Marshall Education Center. "It is a wonderful program for helping bring in academically-oriented minority students."\nThose who have completed one or two years of college, whether transfer students or those enrolled at Bloomington, can apply as well as high school students who are entering as freshmen.\nAwards for the first year are $3,000 for in-state students and $4,000 for out-of-state students. If one is in the mathematics and science program, they are $5,000 and $6,000. Awards after the first year are based on maintaining a GPA of 3.0, and range from $1,000 to $7,000.\n"There are about 300 students in the program now," said associate director Chandra Dyson. "We are looking to bring in about a hundred students a year on it." \nSenior Chioma Ndubisi said she learned about the program from other minority students during her sophomore year of college. She has been a participant for three years and is now an instructor for the Pre-Med Freshman Interest Group. She joined the program to take advantage of the scholarship opportunity and to interact with other minority students on campus. She said being involved in the program helped her develop skills she didn't know she had.