Shakopee Group Helps Students with College Costs

It’s no secret; the cost of a college education is on the rise.  According to nationwide numbers, in 2010 the average student paid $7,600 for one year of tuition at a four-year public university. In our state, the tuition at the University of Minnesota starts around $11,500 this year for undergrads, a roughly $4,000 jump in the last five years according to the university’s website. That number doesn't include room and board. The climbing cost college is just one reason a local non-profit helps students with their tuition bills.

Dollars for Scholars tries to make the journey to college a little easier by giving Shakopee student’s scholarships.

“Education is so expensive, our group gives students seed money to help them get started,” Dollars for Scholars member Fred Jurewicz said.

Each year about 100 students are helped through the organization.  Students are awarded scholarships based on a range of criteria including grades, community involvement, jobs, financial need and personal situations. 

“I love that our group gives scholarships to such a wide variety of students,” Member Pat Pass said. “It’s not just your A student that we recognize, your hard working B student that is involved in after school projects is also likely to be recognized.”

Pass got involved with the group after her daughter won a scholarship. “My daughter got a scholarship from Dollars for Scholars in 1981 and even though college wasn’t as expensive as it is now, it was still pricey for the times,” she said. “Now I’m proud to be part of this organization that helps so many students.”

The scholarships are given out once a year at a ceremony in May and typically range from $300-$1,000. While other branches of Dollars for Scholars decided to offer larger amounts, the Shakopee branch says it’s something they have considered but aren't leaning towards.

“We know the scholarships aren’t a lot of money, but offering larger dollar amounts means we help less students and that’s not the direction we want to go in right now,” Jurewicz said. “Our goal is to help as many students as possible.”

Scholars for Dollars has a 32 year history in Shakopee and is a branch of the nationwide organization Scholarship America. While the group helps Shakopee students, it is not affiliated with the school district. Over the course of three decades, Dollars for Scholars in Shakopee has given out $990,000 to date and expects to crest the $1 million mark this year.