Release Date: Dec 19, 2012 1:30 PM  

The Delaware Department of Education’s Higher Education Office has announced the awarding of 299 Michael C. Ferguson scholarships of $1,000 each to 279 students statewide who attained high scores on the 2012 Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS) reading and mathematics tests in grades eight and 10.

“I often say, ‘No one is just born smart. You get smart.’ These students worked really hard. They and the educators who have supported their achievement deserve praise for the hard work that resulted in their achievement,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said. “I’m glad the state is able to reward them in this way.”

Since the program began 13 years ago, more than 4,500 public school students have been awarded more than $6.1 million in scholarships. This year, 10 eighth grade students earned two scholarships and 130 earned one scholarship. In the 10th grade, 10 students earned two scholarships and 129 students earned one scholarship.

The scholarship program, included in the Educational Accountability Act of 1998, is funded by Delaware’s General Assembly and named in memory of Michael C. Ferguson, former deputy superintendent and acting superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction and former state budget director.

The 2012 program is authorized to award a maximum of 300 scholarships of $1,000 to eighth and 10th grade students who attain the highest scores on the DCAS in the content areas of reading and mathematics. The law states that up to 150 of the Ferguson scholarships will be awarded to students who participate in the free and reduced lunch (FRL) program. Of the maximum 150 scholarships awarded in the FRL program and the 150 not in FRL, up to 75 scholarships will be awarded to eighth graders and 75 awarded to 10th graders.

Students can use their scholarship once they begin their postsecondary education; however, they must enroll at an institution within five calendar years after graduating from high school or the scholarship is forfeited. Recipients may have one additional year of availability of the funds for each year they serve as an active duty member of the military.

Payments are made directly to the institution after the student notifies the Higher Education Office. The award only can be used at regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institutions or at Delaware- or other state-approved private business and trade schools in the United States. The award cannot exceed direct educational costs.

The Higher Education Office contacts recipients with instructions for setting up the online accounts where they can keep track of their scholarship funds, update contact information as needed and identify the colleges they plan to attend. Recipients can use the same account to access other state-sponsored financial aid programs administered by the Higher Education Office.

A complete list of this year’s Michael C. Ferguson Achievement Award recipients is available here.

---

Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.	Contact Info. Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us
Other Press Releases