Editorial: Don’t hurt scholarship program

Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 | 9:17 a.m.

The state's Millennium Scholarship Program could have a funding shortfall as soon as 2006. The state created the scholarship program for Nevada's university system with funds provided through a settlement reached between tobacco companies and the states. But because the funding is tied to tobacco sales -- and people aren't smoking as much as they had in the past -- states are projected to receive fewer dollars as the years go by. So Nevada either can keep the program the way it is by finding other funding sources, or the state can reduce the number of students eligible.

Last week state Treasurer Brian Krolicki, who administers the program, offered ideas to reduce eligibility so the tobacco settlement can fund the Millennium Scholarships until at least 2011. Students would have to complete their degree in five years or they would no longer be able to keep receiving a scholarship, which is $10,000 for Nevada high school graduates who have a B average or better. But many students already have a tough time completing their degrees in four years because there isn't enough space in classes that are required for their diplomas. Older students in the National Guard also could be penalized because their duties may require them to be away for extended periods of time. Mormon students most likely wouldn't be able to go away on a mission while enrolled in a university. Another suggestion for reducing costs was a requirement for stude nts to maintain a 2.5 grade point average (a C plus) to retain their scholarship, instead of the current 2.0. While we disa! gree with the reasoning for doing this -- to make up for a funding shortfall -- we believe there is merit in requiring students to achieve better grades in exchange for their scholarship. Still, such a requirement shouldn't kick in until the sophomore year. Many students have difficulty adjusting during their freshman year and we'd hate to see them be denied an opportunity at receiving a university education.

The scholarships, which Gov. Kenny Guinn proposed and the Nevada Legislature adopted in 1999, have worked well. Instead of making cuts to the program, the state should find ways to keep it fully funded.