Merit Scholarships Renamed, Expanded

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS EXPANDED, MUST APPLY BY DEC. 15

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University has renamed its merit 
scholarship competition for incoming freshmen and expanded the 
number of scholarships to be awarded from 40 to 100.

Now known as University Scholars Maximus, the program will 
award 10 Presidential Scholarships, 30 Medalist Scholarships, and 
60 Traditions Scholarships.  Presidential Scholars receive "full 
rides" -- tuition, room and board and a book allowance -- with 
an estimated annual value of $11,070.  Medalist Scholars receive 
full in-state tuition, currently valued at $3,273 per year.  
Traditions Scholars, a new category, will receive one-half in-
state tuition, currently $1,636.  All scholarships are for four 
years of undergraduate study.

Students are chosen for the scholarships through an essay 
competition held at the Columbus campus in February.  All 
students who have mailed completed admissions applications with 
postmarks of Dec. 15 or earlier will be considered for invitation 
to compete for the Maximus scholarships.  Generally, those who 
rank in the top 3 percent of their high school classes will 
qualify as University Scholars, be offered $1,200 University 
Scholarships, and be invited to participate in the on-campus 
essay competition for the Presidential, Medalist and Traditions 
scholarships.

Nina Hoppes, program coordinator at the University Honors 
Center, says the new name is more descriptive.  "University 
Scholars Maximus indicates that all University Scholars are 
eligible, and it conveys the idea of increasing the value of the 
University Scholarship," she said.

Because of the high interest in the competition, the 
application deadline is firm.  

"It is very important that students have their completed 
freshman admissions applications here by the deadline," Hoppes 
said.  "They must have all the materials requested in the 
application, and the application must be postmarked no later than 
Dec. 15."

Now in its fifth year, the University Scholars Maximus 
program (previously called the Presidential and Medalist 
Scholarship Competition) is part of Ohio State's efforts to 
enhance its academic standing through aggressive recruitment of 
high ability students.

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Contact: Nina Hoppes, University Honors Center, (614) 292-3135. 


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Wed, 22 Nov 1995 11:17:38 -0500]
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