Students will soon be able to reach new heights in higher education as South Texas Academic Rising Scholars, or STARS, at Laredo Community College.
Leaders from the STARS Scholarship Foundation and LCC hosted a press conference Wednesday, March 8 at the main campus in Laird Hall to announce a new $100,000 scholarship program.
The foundation has donated a gift of $50,000, which has been matched by LCC to provide eligible students with scholarships to obtain a college education beginning with the fall 2006-spring 2007 academic year.
The college’s partnership with the STARS Foundation will enable “us to achieve our goal of assisting deserving students in South Texas to attend…college,” Pamela Lerma, STARS executive director, said. “We (STARS) have been able to provide thousands of South Texas students with the educational opportunities they deserve and with (Laredo Community College’s) assistance, we can continue to do more.”
LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina said that the college is pleased to embark on this exciting partnership with the STARS Foundation.
“Laredo Community College always welcomes the opportunity to build partnerships that help open the doors for more students to attend college,” Dovalina said.
To start recruiting prospective STARS for the fall term, representatives from the foundation set up an information table in the Kazen College Center lobby to distribute applications Wednesday immediately after the press conference.
Recipients will be selected on a competitive basis of academic achievement, personal strengths, leadership and financial need.
Students must have a permanent South Texas address, have earned at least 12 undergraduate college hours, have a minimum of a 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
Students are eligible within the 22-South Texas county area of Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Goliad, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata.
Students may obtain an application at the LCC Financial Aid Office at either main or south campuses, or they can apply online at the STARS website, www.southtexasstars.org. Students also may call the LCC Financial Aid Office at 721-5361.
STARS was established in October 2002 as a grass-roots organization. Its mission is to make higher education accessible to the students of South Texas. Its board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of community leaders with a commitment to helping South Texas students achieve higher education.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Students at Laredo Community College will soon have the opportunity to be STARS, thanks to a partnership with LCC and the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars Foundation, which will provide $100,000 in scholarships during the 2006-2007 academic year. The announcement was made at a press conference Wednesday, March 8 in Laird Hall. On hand at the conference were, from left, LCC president Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina, STARS executive director Pamela Lerma and Linda LaMantia, representing L&F Distributors.
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