Utah State using scholarships to lure students across border
May 30, 2006 - Posted in ScholarshipUtah State University is using more than $700,000 in scholarships to aggressively court students from border communities in Idaho for the upcoming school year.
“We really want to send a message that we care, and we want them here,” USU Recruitment Specialist Patrick Svedin said.
Nearly 30 students at Preston High School were awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships, collectively. Eleven students at West Side High School received more than $164,000 in scholarships to attend the Utah State. Students at Malad High School, in Oneida County, were also awarded $143,000 in scholarships.
“We are playing with the big boys now,” Preston Superintendent Barbara Taylor said. “They are actively recruiting. They want our high school students.”
In February, the USU Road Scholars Tour visited Preston High School to encourage more students from southeastern Idaho to attend the university. The tour followed the Legislatures decision to offer more out-of-state tuition waivers to out-of-state students.
Utah State nearly doubled the amount of money that was given to Idaho students in 2005, said USU recruitment specialist Craig Whyte.
“Peoples reactions are overwhelming,” Whyte said. “We are very pleased and excited that it is now an option for their students to attend USU. It is really rewarding to offer those things and keep our end of the commitment.”
Whyte said the university is tied to the communities in both Franklin County and Oneida County. Many alumni in those areas would like to see their children attend USU, Whyte said.
“Those communities have a long history with Utah State and Cache Valley,” Whyte said. “We have so many alumni in that area. A lot of them want their students to come here. They want their children to have the same experiences they had.”