News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 3/9/05   INNOVATIVE PROGRAM AT SOUTHEASTERN PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS              HAMMOND – Area high school students are getting the opportunity to jumpstart their college education through an innovative “Southeastern Scholars” program at Southeastern Louisiana University.         The Southeastern Scholars program is open to students with ACT composite scores of 24 or above and a 3.0 high school grade point average. Participants can receive a tuition scholarship for up to six hours of Southeastern course work.          “This is an excellent opportunity for high achieving students to get an early start on their college careers and save significant dollars in tuition,” said Southeastern President Randy Moffett. He said Southeastern is the only university in the state that awards this six-hour tuition scholarship to all qualified students until their enrollment as a college freshmen.          “With this head start on college, students may be able to complete their bachelor’s degree within three years after graduation from high school and apply the fourth year of their TOPS scholarship towards graduate studies,” added Debbie Longman, coordinator of the College of General Studies’ Office of Student Success.          Approximately 70 high school students are now enrolled as Southeastern Scholars, she said, approximately double the number since last fall.          Longman said Southeastern Scholars take classes at the main campus in Hammond, at Southeastern’s St. Tammany Center in Mandeville and at Fontainebleau High School.  Some are also enrolled in online courses.  Courses are also offered at any of Southeastern’s satellite campuses.          “Students who participate in this program are enrolled in every college at Southeastern,” Longman said.  “While a dozen or more high schools currently have students enrolled in the Scholars program, Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville has the most participants.”         “The Southeastern Scholars program has helped me make a better transition from my high school environment to college,” said Albany High School senior Danielle DiMiceli. “I am really enjoying being in college.”         Longman said Southeastern Scholars can participate in a special orientation program and are eligible for a special section of Freshman Seminar 101, a course that explores educational objectives and teaches success skills.         “Our office," she said, "provides assistance to the participating students by serving as a liaison between the student scholars and other departments on campus. Throughout the program, students receive ongoing and personalized contact from faculty who are specially trained to handle their needs.”         To participate in the Southeastern Scholars Program, qualified students should complete Southeastern’s admission process by submitting the application for admission (indicating an admission status of “Southeastern Scholar”), the application fee, “Proof of Immunization” form, and ACT scores.  They must also complete the Southeastern Scholars application, which must be signed by their high school principal, and provide a high school transcript to verify the required grade point average.          Students and parents can find information and application forms online by visiting Southeastern's Prospective Students page, www.selu.edu/futurestudents. Additional information is also available through the Office of Student Success, www.selu.edu/studentsuccess, 985-549-3852.