John M. Belk Endowment Gives $825,000 for scholarships at JCSU

Updated: 4/11/2014 1:41 PM CST BY TOM JOYNER FOUNDATION

Contact:
Jennifer Gaskins
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

704-330-1338  jgaskins@jcsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

John M. Belk Endowment Gives $825,000 for scholarships

at Johnson C. Smith University

JCSU.EDU

Charlotte, N.C. – April 10, 2014 – Johnson C. Smith University is pleased to announce a gift of $825,000 from the John M. Belk Endowment to increase access to the university by providing scholarships to deserving students.

The money will help offset a decline in financial aid available to many families due largely to increased eligibility criteria for families seeking college loans from the U.S. Department of Education’s Parent PLUS Loan program. Tighter underwriting restrictions have had a disproportionate impact on historically black colleges and universities, which serve greater numbers of disadvantaged students.

“Many of today’s JCSU students face significant financial barriers that result in gaps between the aid they receive and the total cost of their college education,” said Ronald L. Carter, president of Johnson C. Smith University.  Approximately 85 percent of JCSU students receive some form of financial aid; 45 percent are first-generation college students, and 70 percent come from low-income households.

“Such statistics speak to the compelling and diverse needs of these students and the constant pressure they carry as they seek ways to pay for their education,” Carter said. “We are grateful to the John M. Belk Endowment for helping us maintain our commitment to this group.”

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