BAKER UNIVERSITY
Baker University, a premier private university rooted in liberal arts education and academic excellence, is launching Baker 105, a new statewide initiative designed to find talented students and future leaders in every corner of Kansas and make a Baker education possible for them.
Through Baker 105, the university will select at least one qualified student from each of Kansas' 105 counties to receive a full-tuition scholarship. The initiative marks a significant expansion of Baker's recruitment efforts across the state, reaching beyond the communities where the university has traditionally drawn many of its students to identify promising scholars throughout Kansas.
"As Kansas' first university, Baker has been part of this state for nearly 170 years. Baker 105 is about recommitting the University to Kansas and opening the door to students in every corner of the state," said Baker University President Dr. Jody Fournier. "There is extraordinary talent in every Kansas community. We want those students and families to know that a Baker education is within reach."
Founded in 1858 as the first university in Kansas, Baker has spent nearly 170 years educating students who have gone on to serve and lead communities across the state and beyond. Baker 105 builds on those roots with a renewed commitment to finding and investing in promising Kansas students, from the state's largest communities to its smallest towns.
Baker 105 will cover remaining tuition for selected recipients after their financial aid package is applied. There is no separate scholarship application, essay or interview. To be considered, students must be Kansas residents, apply for admission to Baker University and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Baker will select at least one qualified recipient from each Kansas county.“At Baker, we know talent isn't defined by a ZIP code,” Fournier said. “No matter where a student lives, from Johnson County to Wallace County, and everywhere in between, we want them to know they can be seen, supported and challenged here. This is an investment not only in those students, but in the communities and industries they will someday help lead.”
The new initiative also expands Baker's ongoing efforts to make higher education more affordable for Kansas families. One hundred percent of full-time students on Baker's Baldwin City campus receive some form of financial aid, with the university awarding more than $26 million in aid annually. In addition to Baker 105, the university offers a wide range of merit-based, talent-based and other scholarship opportunities to help students and families make a Baker education more affordable.
Financial aid packaging and Baker 105 awarding will begin Dec. 1. Students interested in consideration for Baker 105 are encouraged to apply for admission and complete the FAFSA by the Jan. 15 priority deadline.
To learn more about Baker 105, eligibility requirements, applying to Baker University and scheduling a visit to campus, visit https://www.bakeru.edu/105.