| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: June 2, 2000 |
SPRINT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS
RALEIGH: Continuing a tradition now in its seventeenth year, Sprint recently contributed a $48,500 grant to the North Carolina Community College System. The money will provide scholarships to qualified students enrolled at community colleges located within Sprint’s local service area in North Carolina. Last year, 86 students received scholarships from this program.
"We are proud of our partnership with community colleges," said Dwight Allen, president of Sprint’s Mid-Atlantic operation. "We’re very pleased that Sprint’s contributions help deserving students across the state improve their lives through education and training.
The money funds two different scholarships. The Sprint Scholarship program provides 50 percent of annual tuition costs for qualified minority and displaced workers who are students in the NCCCS. The second program, the Sprint College Transfer scholarship provides $500 annually to students who are enrolled in NCCCS college transfer programs. Priority in awarding this scholarship is to Black students.
To qualify, an applicant must live in North Carolina, must attend the same school for the length of the scholarship and must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Individual financial need and participation in outside activities are also considered during the selection process.
Dr. Delores Parker, Vice President for Academic and Student Services at the North Carolina Community College System Office, feels this money is critical to the educational future of many students. "Without this investment, many of our students would not be able to continue their studies," she said. "We are extremely grateful for the continued support provided by Sprint," she added.
The scholarship only pays half of the tuition per semester, $550 annually. Dr. Major Boyd, Director Student Support Services at NCCCS, said this is intentional. He feels this formula essentially creates a "marriage" between the recipient and the funder since it is incumbent on the recipient to finance the other half of the tuition costs. "A student who receives this money is more determined than those who have the entire amount handed to them," he said. Boyd added that many of these students are first-generation college students who feel an extra responsibility to succeed."
Students interested in Sprint’s Scholarship Program should contact his or her local community college for more information.
Sprint built and operates the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint’s Local Telecom Division offers local telephone services and leading-edge communications solutions to about 8 million homes and businesses nationwide. Sprint serves 67 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.
The North Carolina Community College System, with more than 747,000 students, is the third largest community college system in the United States. The System is the state=s primary agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs.
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