May 14, 2004

(Dallas) - Dallas County Community College District students in the Rising Star program know they can earn their degree or program certificate without the burden of tuition and books because of the generosity of others. Now they know that more opportunities exist after they graduate from one of DCCCD's seven colleges ... that they can pursue a bachelor's degree at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus, taking that next step toward success, through the newly-established JPMorgan Chase "Complete the Dream" Scholarship.

Currently, DCCCD's Rising Star program gives more than 2,000 students the money they need for tuition and books (provided through private funds from the DCCCD Foundation) while they pursue an associate's degree or technical certificate during the first two years of their college education. Participants must graduate from a Dallas County public high school or Dallas Can! Academy, and they must have established financial need. They must meet one of the following criteria: have graduated in the top 40 percent of their class, or have a "B" average, or pass the required DCCCD assessment test to enter any of the district's colleges.

The new scholarship at the UNT Dallas Campus is a bridge for DCCCD Rising Star students who want to pursue a bachelor's degree and to build their careers. The district's students who wish to apply for the new scholarship program must: be in good academic and financial standing with the DCCCD Rising Star program; have a minimum GPA of 2.0; have completed the core course requirements; have completed the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), with the UNT Dallas Campus code included; and have been accepted at the UNT Dallas Campus to complete a bachelor's degree. They also must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or meet the qualifications required in Texas House Bill 1403, which offers Texas residency for tuition purposes to eligible non-resident students.

Additionally, "Complete the Dream" scholarship recipients must: finish the course work for their degree at the UNT Dallas Campus; take a minimum of six course credit hours each consecutive semester until a degree is completed; and maintain a 2.5 GPA once they receive the scholarship. Application deadlines for the UNT Dallas Campus scholarship are June 15, 2004, for the fall 2004 semester (representing the inaugural group of DCCCD Rising Star/"Complete the Dream" transfer students) and Oct. 15, 2004, for the spring 2005 semester.

The JPMorgan Chase "Complete the Dream" Scholarship offers DCCCD Rising Star students up to $2,000 per semester, based on registered credit hours. For example: Students who enroll in 12 or more credit hours receive $2,000 per semester; those who take nine credit hours receive $1,500; and participants who enroll for six hours receive $1,000.

For more information, call Mary Greely-Miller, DCCCD director for the Rising Star program, at 972-860-7478; or Rickey Eddie, director of student financial aid and scholarships for the UNT Dallas Campus, at 972-780-3630. Interested persons who would like to obtain a Rising Star application can pick up a form at any DCCCD Rising Star office, and they can visit www.dcccd.edu/fdn/index.html for more information.