Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

5. Increase University Need-Based Scholarships

By creating an action plan and establishing annual measurable goals, the university will work to increase the amount of need-based scholarships disbursed. Additionally, the university has committed to applying FY 2020-2021 administrative voluntary salary reduction savings toward need-based scholarships for students.

Status: Launched

Timeline and Milestones

  • 3/31/2021 Update: The team is analyzing existing data and developing goals for need-based aid consistent with the university's Strategic Enrollment Management Initiative.
    • Progress increasing need-based aid to students this year includes:
      • The university piloted retention grants, or Bridge Grants, with nearly $375,000 awarded in aid to 258 students. The data from the pilot semester is being evaluated.
      • The university reallocated an additional $419,000 in our central university scholarship budget for need-based aid for current students. Students who received the Freshman Wildcat Grant as an incoming student would be eligible for sustained need-based funding.
      • The criteria for the Freshman Wildcat Grant has been expanded and the budget allocation adjusted, resulting in a 48% increase in need-based aid awarded to incoming freshmen.
      • A Completion Grant program will be launched this summer. Completion Grants support undergraduate and graduate students who are approaching graduation but may need more funds to finish their degree.
      • The number of need-based housing scholarships has been expanded for students living in the residence halls for Fall 2021.

Accountable Administrators and Action Team

This initiative is led by a core leadership team collaborating with the Strategic Enrollment Management leadership team. The lead administrator identified below is responsible for initiating and reporting on the progress of the initiative overall.

Core leadership team

  • Charles Taber, Provost and Executive Vice President, lead administrator
  • Thomas Lane, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
  • Greg Willems, President/CEO, KSU Foundation
  • Karen Goos, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
  • Mindy Markham, Associate Professor and Faculty Senate President, Department of Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences
  • Lindsey Dreiling, Executive Director, Aviation Strategy, Kansas State Salina
  • Olivia Law-DelRosso, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, College of Business Administration
  • Alexis Flores, Undergraduate in Business Administration