The Pedal the Petrified scholarship fundraiser held last month at Petrified Forest National Park was a tremendous success, according to NPC Friends and Family Executive Director Betsyann Wilson.
Wilson went before the Navajo County Community College Governing Board Oct. 18 to report on the funds raised during the event, which drew 250 bicyclists from throughout the country. This year’s race brought in $40,500, an amount that is $16,700 more than was raised last year.
“Because of the money raised, the Fill the Gap and Leg Up scholarships are covered for this school year,” explained Wilson.
The Fill the Gap scholarship is a $500 scholarship available each semester for students who qualify for the Pell Grant, thus showing financial need. One scholarship is awarded for each campus and center served by Northland Pioneer College.
The Leg Up scholarship is funded for the same amount and is available to students who earn too much to qualify for a Pell Grant.
Surprisingly, the bigger problem is getting students to apply for the grants. “The issue continues to be how to fill out the application and provide scholarship essays,” said Wilson. To solve that problem Wilson offers to assist students in filling out the application and writing their letters. “It’s not considered a conflict, because I do not award the scholarship. This is done by a committee,” she noted. The deadline to submit applications for the spring semester is 12 noon on Monday, Nov. 7.
Wilson encourages those interested in the scholarships to contact her by email at betsy.wilson@npc.edu or by phone at (928) 524-6245.
In response to a question from board member James Matteson, Wilson stated that last year a total of 45 scholarships were awarded to NPC students through NPC Friends and Family.
The board also reviewed the financial audits for NPC Friends and Family, and the Northeast Arizona Training Center (NATC).
NPC Friends and Family is a component of the college. As an entity that provides scholarships, it has primarily cash assets that are invested to perpetuate the increase in funding. According to the auditor’s report, the assets and liabilities for the end of the 2016 fiscal year total $480,989.
Unlike NPC Friends and Family, NATC has primarily infrastructure assets totaling approximately $2.2 million. This total reflects a loss of $22,940 over the previous year, primarily due to asset depreciation.
In other business, the board:
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between NPC and the Whiteriver Unified School District to provide dual enrollment courses.
* Approved the 2016-17 strategic priorities for NPC.
* Listened to a report on the Arizona Women in Higher Education Conference.
* Approved a renewal of contract with Cisco Smartnet in the amount of $65,964. The purchase includes multiple service for technical support, upgrades and warranty services.
