Media Contact:

Stevie Lorenz
Student Scholarship Director
563-299-4961
lorensaa@uni.edu

New Scholarship Program Approved for UNI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa- The University of Northern Iowa has been approved by state legislature
for a special $18 million appropriation to provide financial aid to needy students attending the
university. While this scholarship is not held exclusively for minority students, the university is
encouraging in-state minority residents to apply as quickly as possible.
The Youth Opportunity Unlimited financial aid program provides up to $6,000 per academic
year to those qualifying residents who wish to attend UNI. With this $18 million appropriation,
up to 2,000 incoming freshmen could benefit from this program. In order for students to become
eligible for this scholarship, they must meet the requirements of: 2.5 grade point average in high
school, score 20 or better on the ACT test, and come from a family with an annual household
income of $40,000 or less. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must apply no later
than March 15 of the year in which they plan to enroll.
The university is currently facing a problem in which enrollment of minority students is falling
short of the boards goal. Minorities represent 14 percent of the undergraduate population at this
point in time. The goal of the board is to have minorities represent 18 percent of all
undergraduate students by the year 2018. With this new scholarship availability, the board hopes
to successfully reach their target of minority representation within the next four years.

About the University of Northern Iowa:

The University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and currently under the direction
of President William Ruud. Enrollment is at a steady rate of 12,159 students with 39,109
financial aid awards awarded each year.

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