by Leah Jackson
Northwestern State University is partnering with Red River Parish Schools and the Realization Initiative to provide students with scholarship packages to help cover the cost of college. The partnership focuses on eight prioritized areas, but applications in all academic areas are welcome.
“We are fortunate in Red River Parish to be able to enter into this valuable partnership with Northwestern State University,” said Alison Hughes, superintendent of Red River Parish Schools. “With this partnership, we expand the academic and financial opportunities to attend a local accredited university. Northwestern State University has been a leader in the field of education in Louisiana for decades and Red River Parish is proud to promote to promote the wonderful work of NSU.”
Scholarship packages will be awarded to Red River Parish students attending NSU beginning in the Fall 2023 semester. Focus areas are students majoring in computer information systems, engineering technology, mathematics, radiologic sciences, education, nursing, biology and business.
Depending on ACT score and grade point average, students could be awarded scholarships starting at $500 per semester, along with TOPS awards up to $2,900. Students can also earn college credits while still in high school through various means including scores on the ACT, AP scores or CLEP scores.
Students who score above 27 in math and/or English on the ACT can earn three or six credit hours. Additionally, AP scores in several academic disciplines, including advanced math and sciences, languages, art, history and social sciences, can be translated to college credit at no cost to the student.
Students who score 50 and above in CLEP exams for business, composition and literature, history and social sciences, math, science and languages are eligible for three to 10 credit hours per exam. Four-year valedictorian and salutatorian scholarships are also available and students who enroll in the Louisiana Scholars’ College, NSU’s honors college, can earn scholarships based on ACT score and GPA.
The Realization Initiative is designed to create a pipeline for students going from high school to college.
“This program removes barriers and provides financial benefits for students,” said Vanner Erikson, NSU’s director of recruiting and interim director of enrollment. “We will work one-on-one with students to assist them in getting started on their path to a college degree.”
