FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Susan Hammons–Sept. 8, 2004
(936) 468-2041

New SFA online database helps students with scholarship search

Students looking for scholarships to attend Stephen F. Austin State University now have an easier task with the recent addition of a searchable online database.

The database contains more than 500 scholarships available at SFA, with additional ones being added daily. The university plans to eventually include all of its approximately 3,200 scholarships.

“The university awards almost $6 million in scholarships every year,” said Michael O’Rear, director of financial aid. “We wanted to give students an easily accessible tool where they could find information in one place about all these scholarship opportunities.”

Included are scholarships offered by the Office of Admissions, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Alumni Foundation, SFASU Foundation, Intercollegiate Athletics and various academic departments and university organizations. Amounts vary, with some as much as $10,000 per year.

The database gives students two options for searching. The first option allows them to tailor their search based on answers to such questions as possible college majors, where they live and where they will graduate from high school. The second option provides a list of special interests or groups for which SFA offers scholarships.

“Over time, we plan to enhance this program to refine current features and develop new ones,” O’Rear said.

The scholarship search program can be accessed at http://sfascholarships.sfasu.edu. Links also are available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Alumni and Admissions Web sites. Information about individual scholarships includes application procedures. The application deadline for most scholarships is Feb. 1.

The program was developed by the university’s Information Technology Services in collaboration a number of other administrative offices and input from students.