The Arizona Assurance Scholarship affords low-income students the opportunity to attend college. The scholarship, which was initially sponsored by the university, is being funded through a $2 million donation from the Helios Education Foundation this semester and next.
The scholarship will help low-income students through college, something that many may not have thought possible because of their financial situation. Eligible students must come from a family whose yearly income is $42,400 or less, according to Edith Auslander, an Arizona Assurance consultant.
The Arizona Assurance Scholarship provides scholarships for 600 students each semester and has just entered its second semester. Of that 600, nearly 250 were from Pima County and 62 percent were of Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, and African American descent, Auslander said.
“It is like a ray of light I didn’t realize was there,” said Elisa Mesa a UA freshman from Tucson’s south side and recipient of the Arizona Assurance scholarship. “I’m just happy I’m going to school for free and it has given me lots of good opportunities.”
It costs an estimated $14,000 a year for tuition, fees, books and room and board for an in-state student to attend the UA, according to Arizona Assurance’s calculations. That amounts to almost $60,000 in college expenses over four years.
To receive the scholarship the UA requires an application to the university as a full-time student right out of high school with a 2.0 GPA or better.
“Students need not apply for the scholarship itself because their financial aid application will act as the application,” Auslander said.
The Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, form must be completed before May 1 of the year they are to attend the university. Students must also be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
Students must maintain a C average in college just as they did in high school to keep the scholarship. Academic advisors help keep students on track by being available as soon as students arrive on campus, something Meza says is “very successful.”
“I’ve seen kids in situations where they didn’t know they could go to college because of money situations,” Meza said.
“But I couldn’t think of anything better for them to realize they can go to school now.”
