Scholarship Agreement Recognizes Local Students

A new scholarship agreement between the Wichita Falls Independent School District and Midwestern State University will recognize local students' academic achievements at several levels. The superintendent and president from WFISD and MSU will sign the agreement at 11:15 a.m. Friday, February 22, at the WFISD's Education Center located at 1104 Broad St. 

Of particular interest to the WFISD graduates will be the $8,000 scholarship to recognize students graduating with an International Baccalaureate diploma. Students who graduate from any of the three senior high schools with a class rank in the top 10 percent are automatically eligible to receive a scholarship valued at $2,000. Likewise, students graduating with a class rank between 11 and 25 percent will receive a scholarship valued at $1,000. 

"This partnership between MSU and the WFISD accomplishes three important goals," said Superintendent John Frossard. "First, it provides a financial incentive for many of our top students to remain in the area to help us expand our local economy.  Second, it has the potential to increase enrollment at MSU with more local students.  And third, it makes guaranteed scholarship funds available for many of our top students who work hard and excel academically." 

Each year MSU will offer at least one of the 10 President's Distinguished Scholarships to a student from the WFISD who meets the necessary requirements. The scholarship is valued at $28,000. Last year four WFISD graduates received this prestigious scholarship. 

The university will also reserve at least two Redwine Scholarships annually for WFISD students meeting the necessary requirements. Each of these scholarships is valued at $16,000. In addition, WFISD valedictorians and salutatorians are eligible to receive a $16,000 scholarship. 

All scholarships will be equally divided over four years of undergraduate study when a student enrolls at MSU during the academic year immediately following his or her high school graduation. 

"We are pleased to form this partnership with the WFISD. We have some of the brightest and most talented students in the state of Texas right here in Wichita Falls, and we would like nothing more than to have them join us at Midwestern State," said MSU President Jesse W. Rogers. "This agreement encourages those students to remain in the region and provides them with funding that eases the burden of paying for a college degree." 

Rogers also indicated that the university is reviewing these scholarships and requirements in anticipation of extending these opportunities to other school districts in the region.