URI offers three work-study scholarships in community planning for low income and minority graduate students

KINGSTON, R.I. -- May 10, 2000 -- Any college graduate in Rhode Island, including those graduating this month, who would like to pursue their education this fall but can't afford to may be eligible for a scholarship that pays full tuition and for work in a related field.

The University of Rhode Island has received a $90,000 Community Development Work Study grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help three economically disadvantaged and minority students obtain their masters degrees in community planning.

The money will be used to pay for their education and provide funds for work experiences related to their course work. Among the agencies that students will be able to work with are the City of Providence's Department of Planning and Office of Community Development, the Pawtucket Community Development Corporation and the South Providence Mentoring Program.

This opportunity is open to anyone who has earned an undergraduate degree in any discipline, including the sciences and social sciences.

It is expected that three recipients will complete the 50-credit community planning program focused on housing and community development, within two years. The community planning program operates from the URI Kingston and Providence campuses.

The deadline to apply is July 15. Applicants will need to send transcripts, Graduate Record Exam results, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation. To get an application, call Dr. Farhad Atash, chair of the Department of Community Planning and Landscape Architecture at 874-2982 or write to him at URI Rodman Hall, Kingston, RI 02881.

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For Information: Dr. Farhad Atash, 874-2982, Jan Sawyer, 874-2116