Victoria Hicks of Richmond, Ind., is Indiana University East’s recipient of the Indiana University Presidential Scholar award for this academic year. IU awards the Adam W. Herbert Presidential Scholars award to incoming students at each campus. Hicks, IU East’s fifth Presidential Scholar, attended Randolph Southern High School in Lynn, Ind.

Hicks is studying for her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree. She is a member of the IU East volleyball team.

Now in its fifth year, this scholarship program is funded by a $10 million grant from the Lilly Foundation, with the goal of placing more of Indiana’s top high school students at IU campuses and the hope that they might be more inclined to stay in Indiana after they graduate.

These students receive renewable scholarships ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 a year for four years, plus a new laptop computer. In their junior or senior year, the students also will receive an additional $1,000 award toward the cost of a semester of international study.

Criteria for selection include class rank, grade point average, SAT I or ACT test scores and strength of high school curriculum. Also considered are each student’s record of activities and leadership positions, record of community service, personal statement, and a recommendation from a high school teacher, guidance counselor or community member. Indiana residency is required and preference is given to National Merit Scholarship qualifiers.

Unlike IU’s other competitive scholarship programs, such as the Wells and Kelley Scholars, eligibility for Herbert Presidential Scholarships is limited to Indiana residents. Each campus nominates students for the award from its applicant pool.

High school seniors who are interested in competing for next year’s Herbert Presidential Scholarships should be sure their application for admission is completed and turned in this fall to the Office of Admissions. For more information on enrolling at IU East, visit www.iue.edu/admissions or call (765) 973-8208.