Dorrance scholarship offers first generation college students a world of opportunities

Applications now being accepted for $45,000 program

PHOENIX-The Dorrance Scholarship Program invites qualifying high school seniors to apply for a four-year scholarship program that promises tuition funding, international travel, cultural enrichment, mentoring, internships, retreats and special programs at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University or University of Arizona.

Arizona high school seniors who are the first generation in their family to attend college and who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need and strong leadership qualities are eligible to apply. Up to 25 recipients will be selected for the scholarship, each estimated to be worth $45,000.

Eligible students meet all of the following criteria:

* Be a senior in good standing who will graduate from an accredited Arizona high school;

* First generation to attend college (neither parent holds a four year degree);

* Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted);

* Minimum combined SAT score of 1040 or composite ACT score of 22

(excluding writing score);

* Demonstrated financial need;

* Accepted by one of Arizona's three state universities;

* Demonstrated leadership and community service;

* Committed to participating in all aspects of the scholarship program.

With such a generous scholarship award comes responsibility. Dorrance Scholars are required to live on campus during their freshman year, attend monthly meetings with fellow scholars, perform community service, attend and complete at least 12 credit hours each semester, maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and attend an annual retreat.

Beyond tuition, the program offers a pre-college summer transition program, international travel, cultural enrichment opportunities, an innovative entrepreneurship experience, mentoring and tutoring opportunities and internships. Recipients will be assigned an advisor at their campus and will have access to tutoring, if needed. Annual retreats and monthly meetings explore the integration of learning through living, vocation, leadership and philanthropic effectiveness.

Recipients are expected to participate in community service, organizing and leading group activities and fostering a sense of family among fellow students. The scholarship value and program component afford opportunities not readily available to most college students.

The Dorrance Family Foundation began providing scholarships in 1999 to support students with limited financial resources who are the first in their family to complete a four-year degree. The award is renewable for up to three years, for a total of eight semesters of full-time, undergraduate study. Scholarships are renewed based on participation in program events and activities, leadership development, volunteer participation and academic standing.

Applications must be received at the Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85016, no later than Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 5 p.m. Finalists will be required to attend a personal interview in Phoenix.

For an application or for more information, students may contact their local high school academic counselor, or Jim Hensley, director of Dorrance Scholarship Programs, at 602-381-1400 or 800-222-8221. To learn more about the program and download an application online, visit www.azfoundation.org.