MSU launches Priddy Scholars Program for first-generation students

Midwestern State University this week unveiled a transformational opportunity for students who aspire to be the first in their families to complete a college education. With generous support of The Priddy Foundation, MSU is now offering scholarships aimed at first generation families with high economic need.

The Priddy Scholars Program will fund 30 scholarships beginning in Fall 2017, and is part of the Campaign for MSU Texas, a seven-year, $50 million comprehensive campaign for the university.

Students selected as Priddy Scholars will receive full tuition and residential funding and will participate in presentations and group activities under the leadership of program director Cammie Dean. All facets of the program are designed to increase the likelihood of first generation students achieving a college degree in a timely manner.

Results from the landmark program will be collected to determine which practices have the most powerful influence on first generation college success. Priddy Scholars will engage in a year-long service learning project to benefit nonprofit organizations in the Wichita Falls community, take part in high-impact practices in career exploration and undergraduate research, and participate in a study abroad opportunity during their four-year degree plan. Grants will be awarded for the 2017-2018 year for 10 entering freshmen, 10 sophomores and 10 juniors. On the basis of successful completion of the requirements of the program, grants will be renewed for each subsequent year of the scholars' academic career. The program will expand to 40 students beginning in Fall 2018 to include 10 new students from the incoming freshman class.

The Priddy Foundation and MSU aim to expand the capacity of area leadership across this strongly emerging demographic of students coming from families with financial need and no prior college degrees. By extending this concentrated and individualized approach to achieving college success, MSU seeks to assume a pivotal and necessary role in educating first generation students across the North Texas region. This program extends to The Priddy Foundation's North Texas service area, which includes the following counties: Archer, Baylor, Childress, Clay, Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, Haskell, Jack, King, Knox, Montague, Stonewall, Thockmorton, Wichita, Wise, and Young.

"Many of our students come from working class families that cannot afford to take full advantage of the residential experiences available to students from higher earning families," said MSU President Suzanne Shipley. "Living on campus intensifies college learning. With fewer disruptions and distractions, and with a strong support structure, Priddy Scholars will thrive at MSU. We look forward to creating a new model of first generation college success."

Midwestern State University's ambitious comprehensive campaign, in its early stages, will fund projects to enrich the lives of students, enhance teaching and learning, and invest in the university campus and the community of Wichita Falls.

Applications for the Priddy Scholarships are available at https://orgsync.com/161575/forms/264397 and carry the following four requirements: must be a first generation college student with a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and from a family with an adjusted gross income of between $50,000 and $125,000, must have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and should complete The Priddy Scholar application by July 21.

For more information about this opportunity, please refer to or contact Cammie Dean at 940-397-4500 or cammie.dean@msutexas.edu.