NSU Foundation tops record-setting year with $1.3M

TAHLEQUAH, Okla.  — Over the last four years, the Northeastern State University Foundation has seen record-breaking numbers for privately funded scholarships for NSU students.

In 2023, over $1.3M was awarded throughout 1,268 privately funded scholarships to NSU students, a 12.38% increase over 2022.

“The NSU Foundation Executive Committee, led by Chrissi Ross Nimmo, and our Investment Committee, led by Dr. James Gore, have worked hard to increase the total amount of our spending allocation to the university each year, even when our investment returns have been negative or have just covered rising inflation,” said Peggy Glenn, NSU Foundation Executive Director.

Glenn said the Foundation holds annual discussions centered around helping students financially, even through tough economic times.

With the topic of an economic downturn at the forefront of households throughout the country and state, the NSU Foundation surpassed $1 million in scholarship awards for the third time in school history. The amount of scholarships awarded is a 7.2% increase over 2022 and the average scholarship was a record $1,052.

“Even though the amount of Foundation scholarships awarded has steadily increased over the past decade, this is the first year that we have set all-time records for both the total amount awarded and the total number of scholarships awarded,” Glenn said. “As I remind our donors, the need is still there.”

Glenn said students still drop out before they get their degree due to financial difficulties and said the work for the foundation is not done until every student willing to put in the effort to get a degree can get the assistance they deserve.

“The NSU Foundation helped me out immensely when I was a student here over three decades ago,” Glenn said. “I am so honored to be able to do the same for students since I came back to NSU in this position in 2011.”

Current students, incoming freshmen and graduate students have until March 1, 2024, to submit the General Scholarship Application, from which the NSU Foundation awards the majority of Foundation scholarships.

Incoming freshmen interested in the Honors Program or President’s Leadership Class scholarships must submit special applications by Feb. 1, 2024. These programs require up to three recommendations, so high school seniors should plan accordingly.

For more information on NSU Foundation scholarships and their requirements, visit scholarships.nsuok.edu.

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