Feb. 9, 2000
Contact: Mary Bridget Reilly
513-556-1824
mary-bridget.reilly@uc.edu

Cincinnati -- Eleven million dollars will be up for grabs for incoming students during a one-day scholarship competition at the University of Cincinnati Saturday, Feb. 19.

About 1,500 high school seniors from across the country will come to UC for the Cincinnatus Scholarship Competition where they will compete head-to-head for four-year awards of $60,000; $20,000; $10,000; and $6,000 based on the prospective students' performances in group exercises and essays on that day as well as their existing portfolios of achievement and community service.

To be eligible to compete, students must have an exemplary academic record and meet one of the following criteria: in the top five percent of their high school class; an ACT score of 26; or an SAT score of 1170, according to Connie Williams, director, Cincinnatus Scholarship Competition. Those that win awards will have to maintain high academic standards in order to retain them and must also contribute service in the local community, at least 30 hours annually. For instance, previous winner of Cincinnatus scholarships have lent their skills tutoring at local shelters and at area high schools, playing with children in local homeless shelters, and mentoring youth at run-a-way shelters.

Up to 2,000 parents are expected to accompany their children to campus on the day of Cincinnatus. While the high school seniors are involved in the day's academic challenges, parents will tour campus; sit in with a panel consisting of current students; and learn about financial aid options, on-campus housing, career placement, and more.