Allegany County Opportunity Scholarship Coming Aboard

Prospective students and current students who are local residents of Allegany County can now be hopeful for a scholarship opportunity just for them. On January 16, 2014, Allegany County Commissioners Michael McKay, Creade Brodie, and William Valentine signed a memorandum with  Frostburg State University (FSU) President Jonathan Gibralter establishing the Allegany County Opportunity Scholarship at FSU.

This scholarship will benefit students from the Allegany County area and the funds will come from county revenues from the Rock Gap Casino Resort in Cumberland. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must have and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The first scholarship(s) will be awarded to students in fall of 2014.

Gibralter stated that FSU just received their first check from the county in the amount of $90,000 to distribute for the Fall 2014 semester.  Over the next five to 10 years, FSU is expecting $10M worth of award funding from the county, with all funds deriving from the revenue of Rocky Gap Casino. In order for the residents of Allegany County to apply, they would have to first apply for financial aid and be awarded aid before applying for the scholarship.

Gibralter felt the Allegany County Opportunity Scholarship will provide great opportunities for students. He stated, “There are people who believe that gambling is an evil. I believe, on some level, for people who can’t afford to gamble or people who perhaps have a gambling addiction, it could be evil. But on the other hand, it makes it a little more acceptable when the proceeds are going to such a good cause.”

The Rocky Gap Casino, located just past Cumberland, MD on Interstate 68, opened it’s doors in May of 2013 after approval via a statewide referendum in November of 2012. Funds from the casino will provide hope to Allegany County residents wishing to seek higher education. The scholarship may prove to provide needed relief to the poorest region Maryland, allowing students in a rural setting to obtain a post-secondary education.

President Gibralter went on to comment, “My hope is that the scholarship will not only help young people, not only from Allegany County, that are currently in college, but I also hope that it’s going to help perhaps many students who are from low income families who maybe cannot afford to send their child to college.”

Gibralter also said, “One of the best ways for people to advance and have greater earning potential is with a college degree.” He has hope that this scholarship will help local students and families with financial difficulties, in a time when the cost of higher education nationwide has reacher historic highs.

Gibralter believes that many local residents who are awarded this scholarship will attend Frostburg State University and graduate with their degree. He recognized that Allegany Commissioners hope the scholarship will promote students to stay in the area, become employed here, and eventually help the Western Maryland economy. In some ways, the Commissioners are looking at this scholarship as a means of economic development for the region.

Our president also stated that he was grateful and that the award is “incredibly forward thinking” for the Commissioners.  With a potentially huge impact  in the next five to 10 years, the funds could indirectly assist in the development of the University and surrounding area.

Eligible students are encouraged to research and apply for the Opportunity Scholarship. The deadline to complete the FAFSA is March 1, while individual deadlines for scholarships can be found on the STARS system and at  http://www.frostburg.edu/ungrad/faid/programs/institutional/.