Osher Foundation gives $50,000 in scholarship support for reentry students

July 25, 2006

Arizona State University received a $50,000 gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation to fund 25 new scholarships. The scholarships are for students who have experienced a significant gap in their education and who have shown academic potential and financial need. Scholarship recipients receive $2,000 per year, which cover approximately half of full-time tuition costs for the year.<separator></separator>To be eligible for the scholarships, students must have a gap of at least five years since they last attended high school or college, be between the ages of 25 to 50, be an admitted ASU undergraduate student and be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours. The first Osher Foundation Scholarships will be awarded this summer for students entering ASU next fall.<separator></separator>“The university is very grateful for this gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation,” said Vincent Waldron, faculty research director for ASU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and professor of Communication Studies. “It will benefit many reentry students who often struggle to return to school.”<separator></separator>The Osher Foundation has chosen to give a grant to assist returning adult students at ASU and may renew it annually for up to two more years. After that, with the program's demonstrated success, the university may apply for a $1 million endowment to support the program in perpetuity.<separator></separator>Once awarded, Osher Reentry Scholars will be required to maintain full-time status, a 3.0 GPA, contact through surveys and interviews, and complete an evaluation process. If the student remains eligible and complies with the above requirements, the student may apply for additional years of scholarship funds.<separator></separator>The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a successful businessman and community leader. The Foundation seeks to improve quality of life for residents all over the United States through post-secondary student scholarships and arts, cultural, and educational grants.