Seniors to give scholarships

The senior class has set up a scholarship fund for the families of victims of Sept. 11. This senior class gift is one that will keep on giving.

The scholarship fund has not reached its goal of $30,000, according to Jillian Hoyt, the senior class gift coordinator.

So far the fund has reached just over $27,000 in donations and pledges, which is not enough to receive funds from the state.

"We're shooting for $30,000," said Chris Hattayer, USG president. "If we reach $30,000, then we're eligible for 50 percent matching funds from the state."

If the fund receives state money, the scholarship fund will reach $45,000.

"We're very hopeful the goal will be reached," Hoyt said.

The Class of 2002 September 11th UConn Education Fund is an endowment scholarship that will continue to grow over time, said Paul Brawley, assistant vice president of communications. Once the fund has received $25,000 in donations, awards can be given.

"An endowment fund is like a savings account," Brawley said. "Once we receive $25,000, then we can invest that money and get a return on the investment. We can then keep adding to the fund."

Every year, a certain percentage will be given out to a family member of a victim of the Sept. 11 tragedy, with preference going to a Connecticut resident, Hoyt said. The recipient will be eligible for the scholarship on a renewable basis every year for the duration of the student's college career.

"We want to leave a gift that can last essentially forever," Hoyt said. "After Sept. 11, the Foundation thought it would be great to incorporate the tragedy with UConn, since we were really impacted by it."

According to Hoyt, the exact percentage of the fund that will go to recipients has not yet been decided. After the final donations are tallied, then the amount will be finalized.

Hoyt has been in charge of creating and setting up the fund. In the past there has been a committee that decided, but this year a committee was not organized. Hoyt worked with many seniors in order to decide what the best choice of gift should be.

The process of deciding on the gift was difficult because there were a lot of restrictions as to what the gift could be, Hoyt said.

Hoyt also said parents are encouraged to donate in a senior's name. Anyone can contribute to the fund, but seniors have been strongly encouraged.

The average donation has been $27.27, while the maximum donation was $150, Hoyt said. The participation rate by seniors is almost 50 percent, she said.

"I think the scholarship is a great idea, especially for graduates," said Lindsey Nichols, an 8th semester education major. "As graduates we need to help like this, it's a good way of getting our feet wet. At first I was hesitant to give, but obviously it's such a good cause. I can't imagine why people wouldn't want to give."

According to Brawley, the Foundation has been trying to get the word out to eligible recipients through the admissions office that sends out information to high schools with the greatest likelihood of having students who were affected. Also, information has been sent to non-profit agencies in New York City.

According to the senior Web site, previous class gifts include another scholarship and the 24-hour study room in the library.