1. Restricted
availability. Awards available to students on the basis of certain
restrictive criteria such as home county, specific academic major
or program, special ability, or achievement in designated areas.
2. Preferential
availability. Certain preferences are prescribed by the donor
(such as home county or involvement in certain academic programs),
but are not mandatory requirements. (If there is not a sufficient
number of candidates who meet the criteria, others may be considered.)
3. General
availability. Awards made on a competitive basis to students
whose records of achievement are outstanding.
A. The Chancellor
of the University is responsible for general administration of the
scholarship/merit award program. The Faculty Senate Committee on
Financial Aids and Awards advises the Chancellor in developing policies
and procedures. All policies and procedures are subject to review
and approval by the Chancellor.
B. Three principal
purposes are served by the scholarship/ merit awards program:
1. To recognize
academic excellence or to recognize outstanding accomplishment
in a special field.
2. To recruit
and enroll outstanding students.
3. To provide
financial assistance for deserving students whose budget resources
are limited.
C. All applicants
for admission to Western Carolina University will be included in
the general pool of students being considered for scholarship/ merit
awards. The Office of Academic Services will be responsible for
generating appropriate lists for all screening and/or selection
committees.
D. Existing
awards which already have established precise selection procedures
may adopt any of the selection procedures outlined in the memorandum.
If procedures already exist for selecting recipients that differ
from those outlined here, those procedures should be outlined indicating
deadlines and selection dates and submitted to the Chancellor for
information and review.
E. Selection
of recipients varies according to provisions established for each
award. For some awards, the donor has prescribed procedures for
selection as well as for eligibility. It will be the responsibility
of the Director of Financial Aid to monitor all activity for awards
of this type and to assure that the appropriate requirements are
being observed.
F. The Chancellor
has delegated responsibility or approved selection procedures for
awards in certain areas (e. g., math contest winners, music scholarships,
and special awards night recognitions). These awards are expected
to be continued and selection procedures are expected to be maintained,
but they are subject to periodic review.
G. The Patrons
of Quality and the Western Scholars awards are screened and recommended
by the General Council of the Western Scholars Program, a group
composed of the Faculty Senate Committee on Financial Aids and Awards,
alumni, and friends of the University appointed by the Chancellor.
H. The Office
of University Development and the Office of Business Affairs will
prepare detailed annual reports on activity in funds for which their
respective offices have responsibilities.
The Director
of University Development will be responsible for presentation of
all annual reports to the appropriate donors/executors.
I. Proposals
for establishing new scholarship/merit awards must be reviewed and
approved by the Chancellor.
