Media Contact:

Taylor Conger
515-494-4627
tconger@uni.edu

Scholarship Funds Targeted Towards Minority Students at UNI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa is hoping to increase the student minority
enrollment on campus by offering increased scholarship funds. The Iowa state legislature has
approved an $18 million dollar appropriation to give financial aid to students in need. The scholarship
funds will be available to students starting in August for the fall 2015 semester.
The University of Northern Iowa currently has an 86 percent minority white population. The goal is to
increase the minority races on campus. This goal will hopefully be targeted with the increased
scholarship funds. Special provisions also are included for single parents, first-generation college
students, and nontraditional students entering UNI to pursue a bachelor's degree at mid-career.
The $18 million provided by state legislature could benefit as many as 2,000 incoming freshman if
they stay informed and contact the university about recruitment processes. The University of
Northern Iowa values diversity and providing a welcoming community of multiculturalism. Jacob
Simmons, a 2014 scholarship applicant says, I wouldnt be where I am today without the help of the
scholarship. I love UNI, and I enjoy all the opportunities that they offer to students on campus. If
minority students take advantage of the scholarship funds, the university will hopefully reach its goal
of 1,880 minority students by 2018. Applicants must apply no later than March 15 of their enrollment
year.
The Youth Opportunity Unlimited financial aid program offers up to $6,000 per academic year for
qualifying in-state students who attend UNI. Although the program is not exclusively for minority
populations, applications from in-state minority residents are encouraged. Students can use the funds
for tuition, room and board, books, and other miscellaneous expenses. Compared to most financial
aid programs, the eligibility requirements for YOU financial aid program is flexible. Students must
have maintained a 2.5 grade point average in high school, scored a 20 or higher on the ACT, and live
in a family household with an income of $40,000 or less.
About the University of Northern Iowa:
UNI has many programs targeted towards minority students once they are enrolled. International
Student Association (ISA) and International Student Promoters (ISP) are just a few of the major
organizations on campus that can help students develop an understanding and friendships between
people from different countries. ISA helps sponsor programs on diversity and promotes the
understanding of other cultures on the UNI campus.
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Media Contact:
Taylor Conger
515-494-4627
tconger@uni.edu