Campus News

Application Deadline Nearing for Robinson Leaders Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2015) — The Robinson Scholars Program at the University of Kentucky is currently accepting applications for its high school leadership program through 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20.

To be eligible, applicants must be in the freshman year of high school, reside in one of the 29 Eastern Kentucky counties in the Robinson Scholars service area, and be first generation students with an interest in obtaining a four-year college degree. First generation students are those whose parents or legal guardians do not hold four-year college degrees.

Those selected to be Robinson Leaders are eligible to participate free of charge in college preparation activities, leadership development, cultural trips, and summer camps provided by the Robinson Scholars Program. Those accepted will also be eligible to apply for the Robinson Scholarship, which is a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

Applicants are selected based on factors such as academic achievement, participation in community service, extracurricular activities, personal enrichment, and need for financial aid. Some scoring preference is also given to low income students but low income status is not necessary if students meet the criteria of high school freshman status, first generation, and residence in the service region.

About 87 Robinson Leaders will be chosen from the 29-county service region for the 2015 cohort. Of the 87 leaders chosen, 29 students (one from each county) will be awarded a Robinson Scholarship at the conclusion of their junior year of high school.

Robinson Leaders are also eligible for other financial aid provided by Robinson Scholars, such as second tier scholarships to UK, reimbursement for test fees and college classes taken during high school, and waiver of the application fee to UK.

"Students who participate in our novel enrichment program are well prepared for success in college," said Jeff Spradling, director of Robinson Scholars. "The young people in our program show leadership in their schools, communities, and on UK's campus, and we are very appreciative of our opportunities to help Eastern Kentucky's first generation students prepare for success in college and life."

Applications can be made online through the Robinson Scholars Program website at http://www.uky.edu/academy/robinson-scholars. Follow the link to the Robinson Leaders application. Application instructions are provided. Students who do not have computer access may obtain a paper copy of the application and instructions from their high school guidance counselors.

First generation students in the following Eastern Kentucky counties are eligible to participate in the program: Bell, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Rockcastle, Whitley and Wolfe.

For more information about Robinson Leaders, the Robinson Scholars Program, or the application process, visit the Robinson Scholars website or contact Jessica Watkins at 606-666-2438, extension 232.

The Robinson Scholars Program is part of the Academy of Undergraduate Excellence within the Division of Undergraduate Education at UK.