TAMPA - An anonymous donor has given the University of South Florida a $5-million gift to support academic and scholarship programs for underrepresented students. The $5-million is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match from the state's matching gift program, according to a news release from the school.
Of the $10-million, $8-million will go to need-based scholarship initiatives, with preference given to women and minorities as part of the USF Diversity Scholarship Initiative. The remaining $2-million will create the USF Academic Endowment Fund, which will be used as unrestricted academic support where it is most needed, according to the release.
The gift comes on the heels of an announcement by the Helios Education Foundation of a $2-million gift to USF to create the Helios Education Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund. The Helios gift is also eligible for the dollar-for-dollar match from the state.
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The matching funds are still restricted as well based on the donor's wishes. We should probably say THANK YOU to the donor rather than whine about where it went.
Posted by: Eric | February 29, 2008 at 09:37 PM
This is Maurice Wallace speaking out, a proud black man who has achieved in education to have his bachelors degree conferred upon him. We need to see proper spelling and punctuation in all posts in order to be taken seriously. I saw one who posted something that was abysmal. Enough! I don't care if you are chocolate, brown, or vanilla, you must write with integrity. I support furthering education for those who are misaligned in our society (proved by rational statistics). But those who voice an opinion wash away their opinion's validity by poor English. ~ Maurice Wallace
Posted by: Maurice Wallace | February 29, 2008 at 08:19 PM
20% will go where it is most needed. see kids I did'nt go to college so I can't understand that way of thinking.
Posted by: Rodger | February 29, 2008 at 07:53 PM
The money from the state should NOT be need based ONLY... how about achievement based.. what a novel idea!!!
Posted by: | February 29, 2008 at 07:14 PM
If the funds are designated for minorities at USF, I guess that rules out the Arabs and Indians.
Posted by: | February 29, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Paco, that's fine for the $5 mil donated, but the $5 mil in matching funds from the state should be need based ONLY.
Posted by: | February 29, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Why don't do you ask the donor - since that's where he/ she wanted it designated to.
Posted by: Paco | February 29, 2008 at 04:34 PM
How come funds can't go to any student that wants to learn but can't afford it? Instead of having to be a certain color or gender.
Posted by: Ted | February 29, 2008 at 04:03 PM