Applications due March 1 for educational opportunity scholarship


LAWRENCE – Qualifying University of Kansas students have until March 1 to submit applications for the 2016 Jerry Bailey Educational Opportunity Scholarship. The scholarship is part of the Achievement & Assessment Institute’s (AAI) Center for Educational Opportunity Programs (CEOP) and was established to support underrepresented and first-generation students with limited income as they pursue undergraduate degrees at KU. One to two participants annually receive one-time awards ranging from $750 to $1,500.

Students may download application materials online.

The award honors Jerry Bailey, associate professor emeritus of education, who led more than 200 sponsored programs within the School of Education and was instrumental in the development and growth of current CEOP programs. “The work that my colleagues do is just extraordinary, and I am honored to help with the fund,” Bailey said. “It really only carries my name – they are responsible for all of the good work.”

“Jerry Bailey is a wonderful friend and colleague and was key to our center’s development,” said CEOP Director Ngondi Kamatuka. “He believes in our mission. This scholarship honors his commitment to help students gain access and achieve success in higher education.”

CEOP serves approximately 4,000 Kansas students each year through 10 federal- and state-funded programs that help underrepresented and nontraditional students enter and succeed in college.

Eligibility/Selection Criteria
Applicants must be newly entering freshmen, transfer students or continuing undergraduate students at KU, and they must be enrolled full-time (12-plus credits) during the fall term of the scholarship award. The Selection Committee will give preference to applicants who meet as many of the following criteria as possible:

  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Are first-generation college students, meaning neither parent/guardian has earned a four-year college degree;
  • Are current or former participants of a KU CEOP program (TRIO, GEAR UP and/or Migrant programs);
  • Have achieved academic success despite hardship or unusual challenge(s);
  • Demonstrate personal motivation for achieving academic and career goals

Last spring CEOP announced the 2015 Bailey Scholarship recipients:

Van Lian, a former refugee from Myanmar and 2015 graduate of Wyandotte High School, is now a KU freshman working toward a master’s degree in architecture with the goal, ultimately, of building sustainable housing in developing countries.

“Since childhood, my goal has been to work as an international architect who creates quality housing for people living in the developing world,” Lian said. “By receiving the Jerry Bailey Scholarship, I will be able to concentrate on my education and come one step closer to accomplishing my goals. I hope one day I will be able to help other students like me pursue further education.”

Bailey Rendzia, a 2014 graduate of De Soto High School, is now a sophomore studying civil engineering with the goal to eventually attend graduate school and pursue a career as a transportation engineer; she also is committed to helping stroke victims.

“The Jerry Bailey Educational Opportunity Scholarship is helping to reduce the financial burden of a higher education for me, allowing me to focus on my schoolwork so that I am able to graduate and provide a better life for my family in the future,” Rendzia said. “KU has not only been a perfect fit for me in the classroom but with extracurricular activities as well. I am grateful for this award and all the opportunities that will follow.”

To support educational opportunity programs in Jerry Bailey’s honor, please contact Brian Friedman at 785-832-7464 or bfriedman@kuendowment.org.

Tue, 01/19/2016

author

Bill Woodard

Media Contacts

Bill Woodard

Achievement & Assessment Institute

785-864-1680