Drexel U offers new scholarships

Drexel University is taking steps to help Mayor Nutter meet his goal boosting the number of students graduating from college. Nutter wants to double the percentage of residents who have college degrees. In 2007, when he announced his goal that figure was at 18 percent.

Drexel University is taking steps to help Mayor Nutter meet his goal boosting the number of students graduating from college. Nutter wants to double the percentage of residents who have college degrees. In 2007, when he announced his goal that figure was at 18 percent. [audio:100127MPDREXEL.mp3]

Over the next five years, Drexel University will be awarding 250 full-tuition scholarships to city students from low-income families. Each year, 50 Liberty Scholars will be chosen from a pool of applicants from high schools in Philadelphia. Joan McDonald is the university’s senior vice president of enrollment management. She says this $28 million committment is a necessary investment in the city’s youth.

McDonald: In my travels into the high schools, I find gems each year that I would love to admit to the university who I think are qualified. But the barrier is cost and what this program does is remove that barrier

Drexel joins the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University in offering scholarship programs specifically to city students. The first Liberty Scholars will be selected this Spring.

Earlier this month the City of Philadelphia opened its PhillyGoes2College office which offers college bound students help with everything from filling out financial aid to finding help preparing for the SAT’s.