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News & Events Scholarship Opportunity for UT Tyler Students
April 28, 2009
The UT Tyler Office of Community Relations is accepting applications for the UT Tyler Stella Crews and Erwin Douglas Dyer Community Service Scholarship.
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Requirements include a minimum 3.5 GPA, full-time status (12 hours for undergraduates and nine hours for graduate students) and a letter of recommendation from a community service representative that provides verification regarding the applicant’s leadership skills, interest in community service and participation in university and community events to promote higher education.
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Only community service and event participation during the 2009 spring semester may count for scholarship consideration.
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Applications and recommendation forms are available in Administration Building, room 342.
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Deadline is Thursday, May 7.
- Awards will be applied to student accounts for the 2009 fall semester.
Habitat for Humanity
 When UT Tyler Construction Management students partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Smith County last fall, they joined a long tradition of helping people realize the American dream.
Habitat for Humanity started in 1976 when Millard and Linda Fuller collected funds from their local church in Americus, Ga., to build a home for a neighbor in need.
Since then, Habitat has helped to provide housing to low-income families in the U.S., Canada and over 100 other countries. In fact, 279,723 housing needs have been met since 1976.
Jack Wilson, president and chief operations officer of the Habitat in Smith County, said local applications are accepted once a year from families. This year, 17 families are in the program — more than ever before in the 19-year history of the local organization.
He said there was an increase of more than 100 percent in volunteers this year. “We are building more and doing more,” Wilson said.
The families who qualify to purchase Habitat houses earn between 30 and 60 percent of the median income in Smith County. They must demonstrate the ability to pay their new mortgage, have job stability, an acceptable debt-to income ratio, a good credit history and pass a criminal background check.
A candidate must also currently live in substandard housing, in overcrowded, dilapidated or unhealthy conditions. And they are required to contribute 500 “sweat equity” hours by volunteering on other Habitat homes. In addition, these families attend classes on finances, home ownership and many other topics.
“(The home) just gives them a whole new lease on life, especially for the children. It gives them a safe neighborhood, a clean place to live and play,” Wilson said. “They have ownership and that’s a big deal. It’s good for the community. It has a positive ripple effect throughout society.”
For more information, contact Carol Killingley, administrative services officer/community relations, 903.566.7050. |
