The W extends scholarship offer to Birmingham-Southern transfer students
The Mississippi University for Women is offering up to $5,500 in scholarship funds to qualifying Birmingham-Southern College students who want to transfer, the university's president announced Thursday.
MUW President Nora Miller issued a letter stating the campus welcomes students affected by the coming closure of Birmingham Southern College in Alabama. Miller said all applications submitted by Birmingham-Southern will "automatically be reviewed" for scholarship opportunities.
“I am saddened by the closure of Birmingham Southern College, a liberal arts college with 168 years of history. It's a sad day for their students, faculty, staff, alumni and the city of Birmingham,” Miller said.
The offer comes days after Birmingham-Southern, with an enrollment of slightly more than 700, announced it would close its doors May 31 after operating for more than a century.
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Birmingham-Southern reportedly decided to cease operations after years of financial difficulties and a declining student enrollment that were never fully resolved.
At the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester, the students enrolled at the college who have not graduated will have to decide where to continue their education.
Miller extended the offer to Birmingham-Southern students to consider the Columbus campus as their next destination.
In the Thursday letter, Miller stated students with 24 to 47 hours at the point of admission will have six semesters of award eligibility, and students with 48 hours or more at the point of admission will have four semesters of award eligibility.
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The following scholarships are available to Birmingham-Southern students transferring to MUW based on their GPA:
Presidential Scholarship (3.8–4.0 transferable GPA): $5,500.00 per year
Whitfield Scholarship (3.6–3.79 transferable GPA): $4,500.00 per year
Franklin Scholarship (3.3-3.59 transferable GPA): $3,000.00 per year
Kincannon Scholarship (2.75–3.29 transferable GPA): $2,000.00 per year
Miller said the university does not have a spring deadline for admissions or scholarships. Applications are free.
MUW officials said affordability and access to higher education continues to be a focus.
“The Office of Admissions at The W is ready to assist and meet the needs of all Birmingham-Southern College students. We understand that this is a difficult time, and we are committed to making the transition as easy as possible so that the students can continue to pursue their dreams in higher education,” said David Brooking, executive director of enrollment management.
For more information regarding admissions, scholarships or programs at MUW, contact the Office of Admissions at (662) 329-7106 or email admissions@muw.edu.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MUW in Columbus MS offers scholarships to Birmingham-Southern students