FROSTBURG — Frostburg State University announced a new scholarship for first-generation college students during a reception Friday at Pullen Hall.
The Edgerton and Lorian Deuel Scholarship is for high school students in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties who will be the first in their family to enroll in college.
The scholarship is named after former FSU Director of Admissions Edge Deuel and his late wife, Lorian. Deuel started his career at Frostburg in 1969 and worked there for more than 30 years, serving in the admissions office for 10 years. His wife was a teacher at Allegany High School for two decades and both were active in the community.
Deuel said he worked at Frostburg State when there were only about 1,300 students enrolled and he witnessed massive growth over his three-decade career that saw the university expand to more than 6,000 graduate and undergraduate students.
When he attended Bucknell University, Deuel said tuition cost about $1,200 a year. “It was far cheaper back then than it is now,” he said. Deuel said he wants others to get a college experience similar to his at a much lower cost.
According to Deuel, the scholarship will provide a “little push” to those who are already motivated to get a bachelor’s degree.
“I know many students whose lives have changed completely from getting a degree,” he said at the reception. “I want to encourage those that may need a little extra push financially to take that step and build a career for themselves and their future families.”
According to the Center for First Generation Student Success, the median household income for first-generation student families is $41,000.
The National Center for Education Statistics said about one-third of first-generation college students do not achieve their intended degree of study and eventually drop out of the institution where they are enrolled.
Deuel said the scholarship would be beneficial for “academically sound students” to have a better opportunity to excel at FSU and complete an undergraduate program with lessened financial hurdles. “It will give students a deeper level of encouragement and sense of security in what they could do not only in college but in their future,” Deuel said.
The scholarship will be available for the 2024-2025 academic year. To view other available scholarships, visit https://www.frostburg.edu/admissions-and-cost/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships.php or call the Office of Financial Aid at 301-687-4301.