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DSU Rising Scholars Program Taking Applications

CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University is announcing a new program for high school students, the DSU Rising Scholars Program. The purpose of the program is to provide scholarships to high school students to cover college courses and fees while still in high school. The ultimate goal is to improve the chances of high school students being able to attend college, graduate sooner, and start their career.

Unlike the traditional dual enrollment program, Rising Scholars affords exceptional students the opportunity to take college classes, including general education courses and courses directly related to students’ respective majors. For students to be considered for the scholarship program, they must be a rising junior or senior, possess a minimum 3.5 G.P.A., earn a 21 composite score or better on the ACT as well as have a 21 sub-score in the areas related to the courses they want to take. The application process requires both a Dual Enrollment and a Rising Scholars application, and a letter of recommendation from either a counselor or principal.

The coordinator of the DSU Rising Scholars Program is Latasha S. Rodgers, Ed.S., an alumna of Delta State University and 20-plus year veteran educator from Greenville. Rodgers encourages high school students from all over the Mississippi Delta region and statewide to take advantage of this prestigious program that will not only save them a great deal of time but also a great deal of money.

She said, “Delta State University’s Rising Scholars Program came from a sheer necessity for our beloved Mississippi to hold on to its best and brightest individuals. There are literally thousands of gifted and talented young people all across this great state who don’t always receive opportunities like those that Delta State University has to offer with the Rising Scholars Program and oftentimes once some students become college educated, they move away to other states, work in those states, and contribute to those states’ communities and economies. Delta State University aims to remedy that problem and I expect our program to retain as many high-performing scholars as possible, thereby making Mississippi even greater.”

Slots are extremely limited and the deadline to apply for summer and fall 2023 courses is quickly approaching. Students who would like to take classes for the Summer I session are urged to apply by May 11, 2023; students who wish to enroll for Summer II and/or Fall sessions should apply no later than May 30, 2023.

Rodgers said, “Dr. James Gerald, Dean of Graduate and Honors Studies and I eagerly look forward to working very closely with all stakeholders and building strong, positive and enduring relationships between Delta State University and the various communities the institution serves.”

For more information about the Rising Scholars program, students and their parents can visit the program’s website at deltastate.edu/risingscholars or contact Mrs. Latasha Rodgers at lrodgers@deltastate.edu or call 662-846-4872.