SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Wofford College Office of Admission wants high achieving high school students from underrepresented populations to “Go for the GOLD” by applying for a new Growing Our Leadership through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion scholarship. The GOLD Scholarship will enhance recipient financial aid and scholarship packages with an additional $5,000 per year ($20,000 over four years). The awards are stackable, which means they are in addition to other merit or need-based aid.
For the past several years, Wofford College has offered the Multicultural Scholarship as a way to enhance the financial aid packages of historically underrepresented applicants. According to Brand Stille, the college’s vice president for enrollment, the effort has been moderately successful; of the 67 students offered the scholarship during the 2018-19 recruitment cycle, 18 enrolled. During 2019-20, 14 of 59 accepted. This year, Arsenio Parks, senior assistant director and diversity recruitment and initiatives coordinator, offered a proposal to boost those numbers and the college’s recruitment of diverse populations (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native or American Indian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or Multiracial).
“We’ve revamped the scholarship in name and selection process, and we’re going to do a better job of creating an awareness of the opportunity,” says Parks. “Our purpose is to acknowledge students who have exhibited strong academic achievement, leadership in civic engagement and potential to contribute to the Wofford community and beyond. At Wofford, diversity, equity and inclusion are core values, and we are stronger for our differences.”
Wofford College awards hundreds of scholarships each year: academic awards; scholarships for student-athletes, student-artists and student-entrepreneurs; Bonner Scholarships for students who will participate in community-based learning; Gateway Scholarships for first-generation college students; awards for students who are from out of state or from underserved populations.
“These awards make the Wofford College liberal arts educational experience accessible; 95% of the student body receives financial assistance of one kind or another,” says Stille. “The ability to offer competitive scholarships allows us to attract high-caliber students from diverse backgrounds and with a range of experiences.”
High school seniors interested in applying to Wofford College should visit Wofford.edu/admission. The GOLD Scholarship application is available at Wofford.edu/goldscholarship.