Hot Springs World Class High School seniors who earn a 3.3 GPA and complete one of three academic programs can now earn a Trojan Reddie Scholarship from Henderson State University. The award will cover the gap between their financial aid and scholarship awards and Henderson State’s tuition and fees.
No minimum ACT score is required for the scholarship, though students will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
“The Trojan Reddie Scholarship program is designed to focus on students who have the determination to finish a rigorous academic program,” said Dr. Steve Adkison, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Henderson State. “This scholarship does not require a minimum ACT score, as we firmly believe a student’s ACT score is not the sole indicator of college readiness.
“The students who receive the scholarship are the very students we want to see at Henderson State; we don’t have any doubt that they are ready to succeed.”
Hot Springs High School Principal Taryn Echols said the scholarship is a “wonderful opportunity that will provide our students with the possibility of completing college debt-free.”
She cited research showing that Generation Z has learned from millennial mistakes of taking out loans to earn degrees in college.
“Since 1978, college tuition has increased more than 150 percent and it is a reality as we work to help our students understand the true cost and benefits of continuing their education,” Echols said. “The unique way we have broken down the scholarship application will allow a diverse pool of applicants to gain access to scholarships that aren’t always available.
“Henderson State is like an extended family to our Trojan community. We have several alumni who work in our district and invest heavily in the success of our students. We are proud of our partnership and look forward to offering our students the benefits of such a positive collaboration.”
To receive the scholarship, seniors must achieve a 3.3 GPA and meet one of three conditions:
- Completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Career Program
- Completion of IB Diploma Program
- Completion of any one IB course and one academic concurrent class, including these NPTC programs at National Park College: medical professions, criminal justice, pre-engineering and graphic design-mobile apps.
Trojan Reddie Scholarship recipients must enroll and complete 15 college hours per semester. Recipients may renew the scholarship for eight consecutive semesters as long as they complete 30 credit hours and maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA for each academic year.
