LAICU Distributes $27,000 In Scholarships

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU) has distributed $27,000 in CIC/UPS Scholarships to assist nine students at nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Louisiana. The scholarships were made possible by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, DC, through the CIC/UPS Educational Endowment and were distributed via the Louisiana Independent College Fund (LICF), the division of LAICU that provides student scholarship aid and enrichment programs.

“We are thankful to the Council of Independent Colleges and the UPS Foundation for their support of student scholarships at the nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Louisiana,” said President of LAICU and Executive Director of LICF Dr. Stanton McNeely. “College access and choice – especially for low-income and first generation students – are essential for the growth of our state. LAICU colleges and universities provide tremendous return on investment in education, upward mobility, community development, skilled workforce creation, research, and economic growth."

Nationally, CIC provided more than $1.6 million in student scholarships through state-based associations to make private colleges and universities more affordable and accessible to underserved students.

Colleges and universities in Louisiana that received CIC/UPS Scholarships this year from LAICU include Centenary College, Dillard University, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Louisiana College, Loyola University New Orleans, Saint Joseph Seminary College, Tulane University, University of Holy Cross, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

“Independent colleges and universities in this country are remarkably effective at educating and graduating low-income and first-generation students in less time, with less student debt,” said President of CIC Dr. Richard Ekman. “Helping these students afford a private college education is a truly critical need in our society, and it is rewarding to be a partner with the UPS Foundation and the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities as we help to support deserving students."

The CIC/UPS Scholarship Program has made a private college education possible for more than 20,000 low-income and first generation students and has had a transformative impact on individuals, families, and communities accross the country.

“The UPS Foundation is honored to work with CIC to provide scholarships for students at independent colleges and universities,” said President of the UPS Foundation and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at UPS Eduardo Martinez. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”