The 2010-2011 UA recipients of The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program gathered for a luncheon in their honor Tuesday in Smith Hall. The scholarship is reserved for those who are the first in their family to attend college, and this is the fifth year the University has hosted the nationwide program.
The scholarship amounts to $5,000 per year and is renewable for four years if a student maintains a 2.8 GPA throughout his or her freshman year and a 3.0 GPA in the years following, according to ua.edu.
Additionally, the website states, recipients are granted eligibility to participate in services provided by Student Support Services, which caters exclusively to first-generation college students. Recipients also gain a support system as they adjust to college life.
Morgan Jensen, a freshman majoring in management information systems, was a 2010-2011 recipient, and she said receiving the scholarship helped her realize her dream of attending the University.
“Ever since I was little it has been my goal,” Jensen said. “I got full tuition from UA, but the Coca-Cola Scholarship really helped me get here.”
Each year since 2006, the University has awarded the scholarship to 12 entering freshman that, in addition to being first-generation college students, must also have a minimum 3.0 cumulative high-school GPA, according to ua.edu.
Dianne Teague, UA coordinator for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, expounded on the criteria students must meet.
“We try to find students with financial need and potential for success,” she said. “We choose 12 students and they do service projects and go to class together. They need to be cohesive.”
Teague said many students applied for the scholarship, but the final decision came down to the interviews.
“The strength of their essays and GPA scores were impressive, but in the interview there is another level,” Teague said.
Gavin Dover, a freshman majoring in choral music education who wants to teach choir in high school, also received the scholarship in the 2010-2011 academic year.
“I was very relieved,” he said. “I don’t know if I would be able to come to UA if it wasn’t for this. I ran around the house screaming when I got the call.”
Since it was created in 1986, The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program has awarded more than $19 million in scholarships, reaching more than 1,000 students at around 400 U.S. campuses, according to thecoca-colacompany.com.
Teague said the recipients are remarkable.
“They have so much potential and energy, and this luncheon is to let the students see themselves as Coca-Cola sees them,” she said.
Students who are currently enrolled may apply for the scholarship when it becomes available again in August. Directions for the application can be accessed at scholarships.ua.edu.
