Bloomington School of Continuing Studies receives largest grant ever for scholarships

Adults who never thought they would go back to school can now consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

The IU Bloomington Continuing Studies received a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation to create an Osher Re-entry Scholars Program at IU.

“It’s the largest scholarship for Continuing Studies,” said Executive Director of Bloomington Continuing Studies Ron White.

White said there are not many opportunities for financial aid for adults who are studying part-time, and the new scholarship will help attract more adult students to IU.

The Bernard Osher Foundation is based out of San Francisco and provides scholarship funding to higher education in the United States with a focus on re-entry students.

Bloomington Continuing Studies submitted a proposal about one year ago and was granted $50,000 for the next three years. At the end of the three-year period, the school will be eligible to apply for a $1 million endowment for future scholarships.

The school will be offering up to $3,000 for full-time students and $1,500 for part-time students per academic year. Potential scholarship recipients will be chosen based on financial need and academic promise as well as whether they have had a cumulative gap of more than five years in their education.

“Most people have a mortgage and children,” said IU student Alexandria White. “Not having to worry about $3,000 will make a huge difference for people with bills to pay.”

Alexandria White is pursuing a general studies degree with minors in sociology and business and has a family of four. She decided to come back to school after working in the corporate world, and she realized without a higher education degree she would be stuck in the same job.

“I have more responsibilities now, but my grades are better than they have ever been,” Alexandria White said.

She is a recipient of the James Hertling scholarship and has benefited from the relief of stress that comes with paying for school and supporting a family.

She said the new scholarship will help attract different kinds of people to IU, and she appreciates the opportunity the school has given her.

“I may even go back,” said Bloomington resident Mark Bard. “Never thought I would, but if there is going to be help with the money, I would be crazy not to.”

The first recipients of the scholarship will be awarded in Spring 2009. The deadline is Nov. 1. For more information please visit www.continue.indiana.edu.