Utah State University is making moves to support its local community, rolling out a scholarship designed for Cache County residents who aim to leap back into the academic fray to snag a graduate degree. Known as the Community Pathway Scholarship, USU's latest financial aid offering provides a hefty 50% tuition coverage for two semesters and tosses in a $500 living stipend for each recipient, as reported by USU Today.
This initiative comes as a nod to the challenges those aspiring for higher education face, particularly when returning after a hiatus. Richard Cutler, senior vice provost for graduate studies, acknowledged the struggle, noting, "The Community Pathway Scholarship aims at reducing the financial stress of this transition," as obtained by USU Today. It's a locally-focused effort, eyeing applicants who've sunk roots into Cache County soil. The application window opens July 1 through the Scholarship Universe portal, and rewards could be doled out as soon as the 2025-26 school year.
USU's School of Graduate Studies is not just about doling out dollars today; they're looking long-term with aspirations to erect a $25,000 endowment fund by the end of 2029. This would cement the scholarship as a permanent fixture, confirms Audrey Gregson, Social Media & Community Manager for the School of Graduate Studies. "The benefit of an endowment fund is that this scholarship lasts forever," Gregson explained, "This means the Community Pathway Scholarship will be a community resource in perpetuity," as noted by USU Today.
