Students can have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars toward tuition and loans through an Internet contest, which begins March 24.
“Tuition Tales” is a contest created in 2008 that gives students the chance to make a 30-second video about why they deserve money for college.
There are three categories — ages 13-18, college/university and post-graduate. The most creative and deserving individual in each category will win $10,000 for college expenses.
Upromise, a program that provides college funding for students, is sponsoring the contest.
Participants can enter their videos until May 5. There will be a voting period from May 6-12, where people can vote for their favorite video online. The 12 videos with the most votes will enter the final voting phase May 13-19, when the three final winners will be determined.
Last year the contest received more than 250 videos, but was only open to Upromise members. This year, the contest is open to the public.
Participants can enter for themselves or for someone else they believe deserves tuition money, like family members or friends.
Matt Slagle, junior in elementary education, said it is not impossible for him to get money for school. He said it is more difficult here than at the previous school he went to, Highland Community College, but it is still an attainable feat.
Though Slagle said he does not need as much help finding money, the Tuition Tales contest is not really something he would be interested in.
“It’s probably not for me,” Slagle said. “I don’t make very good videos.”
Heather Boland, junior in elementary education, said it is harder for her to find scholarships and money for school because she is a nontraditional student.
“The income factor is always there,” Boland said.
Boland said though she probably will not participate in Tuition Tales, she has used the Upromise program before.
Upromise was established in 2001. It’s free to sign up at www.upromise.com, and anyone can be a member. Members can go to various Upromise member grocery stores, drug stores, retail shops, restaurants or shop online.
A certain percentage of the total amount spent goes into a Upromise account that can be used to help pay student loans, cover college expenses or invest in a college savings account.
For more information on the contest or to enter, go to www.upromise.com/tuitiontales.
levard and Kimball Avenue and Candlewood Drive and Kimball Avenue for $632,500.
The total cost for the projects is estimated at $4,792,500. According to the resolution, City Manager Ron Fehr has recommended that the commissioners request $2.5 million in funding from KDOT. Most of the remaining costs would be covered with temporary notes, according to the agenda.
The applications to KDOT are due by March 18, which is why city administration added these items to the work session agenda as special items.
City administration is also scheduled to hear comments from city commissioners and the public about possible improvements to a section of Anderson Avenue, from Anneberg Park to Scenic Drive.
The improvements for which administrators are seeking input include additional lanes, traffic signals at intersections and pedestrian and bicycle paths.
According to the agenda, the improvements are designed to compensate for increased traffic flow caused by new housing developments in the area.