Media Contact: Karen Gajewski, (858) 822-3353

UCSD ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

The University of California, San Diego today announced the creation of a scholarship program for students who transfer from community college to UCSD, via a UniversityLink program. The scholarship was made possible by a $249,600 gift from Sheldon and Susan Engelhorn, of Cardiff by the Sea, Calif. The newly created Engelhorn Family Scholarship Fund, which is the largest scholarship fund designated for transfer students in UCSD history, was established to encourage students to participate in a UniversityLink program and realize their goal of earning a UCSD degree.

UniversityLink is sponsored by UCSD and geared to high school seniors who plan to attend community college and then transfer to the campus. During the senior year of high school or the first semester at the community college, UniversityLink students sign contracts that guarantee admission to UCSD after successful completion of 60 transferable credits at participating community colleges. The students, who must maintain a minimum 2.8 grade point average while in community college, receive ongoing academic counseling and guidance from community college and UCSD staff. UCSD currently offers this program in partnership with Cuyamaca, Grossmont, MiraCosta, Palomar, San Diego City, San Diego Mesa, San Diego Miramar and Southwestern colleges in the San Diego region, as well as East Los Angeles College, Imperial Valley College, and the feeder high schools of all the partner colleges.

According to the Engelhorns, they selected UniversityLink students as the beneficiaries of their scholarship fund because these students often come from diverse backgrounds and have limited opportunities to attend a leading university. Yet these students are also committed to earning a bachelor degree.

“The students in UniversityLink have demonstrated a true commitment to furthering their education and have already shown that they’re willing to work hard to succeed in the classroom,” said Sheldon Engelhorn, who is a UCSD alum.  “We established this scholarship fund so these deserving students have the support they need to continue their education at UCSD. Looking ahead, we feel that each student who receives one of these scholarships will not only do well at UCSD, but also will make a positive difference in our community.”

“The Engelhorn Family Scholarship Fund will not only make a world of difference for outstanding community college transfer students with financial need, it also reaffirms the community colleges as an important and valued route for students to enroll at UCSD,” said Joseph W. Watson, vice chancellor, student affairs.

The Engelhorn Family Scholarships will be awarded to UniversityLink students who transfer to UCSD starting in the 2002-03 academic year. All UniversityLink participants who enroll as juniors at UCSD in fall 2002 will be eligible for consideration, and scholarship awards will be determined based on academic achievement, financial need, and fulfillment of  UniversityLink requirements. Special consideration will be given to students who will be the first in their immediate family to enroll in a four-year university.

Up to 30 UniversityLink transfer students will earn scholarships of $1,500 next academic year. In 2003-04, up to 50 entering UniversityLink transfer students will benefit from Engelhorn Family Scholarships, bringing the approximate total number of scholarship recipients to 80. The students also will be eligible to renew the scholarship for their senior year. The awarding of scholarships in future years is dependent on the success of the program and the availability of additional resources.

Last fall, UCSD welcomed more than 1,250 new California community college transfer students. Applications from transfer students for Fall 2002 admission total 7,761 – an 11.9 percent increase over the prior year.

For information regarding UniversityLink or UCSD scholarship programs, contact the UCSD department of student affairs, (858) 822-1536.