President Cites USA Funds’ Hurricane-Relief Efforts; Initial Grants Announced

President George W. Bush has recognized USA Funds^®’ efforts to assist college students whose education plans have been disrupted by this year’s hurricanes. In a letter to USA Funds, the president writes: “I learned about your extraordinary contributions to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I appreciate your efforts, and our whole Nation is grateful for your kindness and generosity.”

USA Funds has contributed a total of $2.3 million to the Disaster Relief Fund for Postsecondary Education Students to help low-income students who have additional financial need to continue their education because of hurricanes Dennis, Katrina and Rita. Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational-support organization, administers the fund.

Financial-aid administrators can learn more about the fund and apply to receive a grant of up to $35,000 by visiting www.disasterrelief.scholarshipamerica.org/.

Initial awards totaling $918,000 from the fund have been announced to the following 45 colleges, universities and private career schools:

Alabama
Alabama State University
Southern Christian University
Stillman College
Tuskegee University
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Mobile
University of South Alabama

Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Arizona
Arizona State University

California
California State University-Northridge
California State University-Sacramento
Fresno Pacific University
Holy Names University

District of Columbia
Georgetown University

Florida
Florida Memorial University
Lynn University
University of Central Florida
University of South Florida

Georgia
Augusta State University
Convenant College
Georgia State University
Spelman College

Illinois
Columbia College Chicago

Louisiana
Grambling State University
McNeese State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southern University A&M-Baton Rouge
Southern University at New Orleans
University of New Orleans

Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Mississippi
Delta State University
Millsaps College
Mississippi University for Women
Tougaloo College
University of Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi

New Mexico
College of Santa Fe

Nevada
University of Nevada-Las Vegas

North Carolina
Appalachian State University
North Carolina A & T State University

Oklahoma
Oklahoma City University

Texas
Texas A&M University
Texas State University-San Marcos

Virginia
Norfolk State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University