Cox Scholarship gives merit-based aid to working students

Each year the IU Foundation awards one of the largest merit-based student scholarships. This year, as the 2007 scholars await announcement, the 2006 scholars offer their experiences with the scholarship that pays for 75 percent of the student’s total school expenses. \nLolita Christopher, an employee of the IU Foundation, said that the Cox Scholarship began when Jesse and Beulah Cox gave a $15 million endowment to start the program. \nChristopher added that both Jesse and Beulah wanted to invest in students. \n“They really believed it would build a sense of character and achievement,” Christopher said. \nWhile the Cox Scholarship pays for 75 percent of the student’s total expenses, the students must work to pay for the other 25 percent. The winners for the 2007 school year will be announced in the fall, but for the past year, the 2006 winners have been working to maintain this scholarship.\nSenior Julianne Martin, a 2006 Cox Scholarship winner, left for Italy on May 18 to study abroad. She said she worked during the school year to pay for half of her trip and for some spending money. \nAlong with the Cox Scholarship, Julianne Martin receives other scholarships that help her with school expenses. \n“(During the academic school year) I work two different jobs,” Julianne Martin said. “I’m a Latin tutor at the academic support center in the dorms and I work at the Hoosier Café.” \nJulianne Martin added that, during the summer, she also holds various other jobs. \n“I’m really happy to be a Cox Scholar,” she said. “I was surprised. It’s a really good program.” \nThe scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. Each student who applies for the scholarship must maintain a 3.0 GPA and must be enrolled as a full-time student working toward their first undergraduate degree. \nEach applicant must also be an Indiana state resident, and they must be working to contribute around $4,000-$4,500 to their education. The Cox Scholarship is available to students on the Bloomington campus and the IUPUI campus. \nSenior Kathryn Martin, no relation to Julianne Martin, said that, when she found out she won the scholarship, she was surprised. \n“I didn’t think I was going to get it,” Kathryn Martin said. “I was not confident.” \nKathryn Martin said she received the Cox Scholarship just last year. Her first job was at Macy’s, but she quit to work at the psychology department with the Wellman lab with professors Cara Wellman and Jo Anne Tracy. \n“Researching neuroscience didn’t bring as much income in,” she said. “But (it was) better for my career.” \nKathryn Martin plans on attending graduate school for neuroscience diseases, but she has not yet ruled out medical school. \nChristopher added that the Cox Scholars program awards 21 scholarships annually. About one-third of them are awarded to students at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and two-thirds of them are awarded to students at IU-Bloomington. \nThe award is renewable for three years and is fairly competitive. \n“We have a great pool to choose from,” Christopher said.