OU Student Worried Budget Cuts Could Further Cut Scholarship

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Lacey Meeks is just months away from finishing her studies at Ohio University, and she could be one day away from losing part of the scholarship she depends on to pay for her schooling.

On Thursday, the Ohio Board of Regents will meet to determine whether the board will have sufficient state funding to pay for the War Orphan Scholarship, awarded to children of deceased or severely disabled veterans.

Meeks worries that her scholarship and War Orphan Scholarships for other students will fall victim to budget cuts.

“I’m getting one of the most important things in my life taken away from me,“ Meeks said. “I’ve never had to look at loans and I’m doing that for the first time just to get by for a quarter.“

The Ohio Board of Regents reduced the War Orphan Scholarship funding by 30 percent in spring. Over the past two years, War Orphan Scholarship funding has been trimmed from $4.8 million to $4.3 million as the state’s economy struggled.

Just two quarters away from graduating with a communications major, Meeks says it will be easier for her than for freshmen who have years of schooling remaining. But she says Gov. Ted Strickland has been irresponsible by making education a campaign priority while allowing scholarship cuts.

Responding to Meeks’ criticism Wednesday, Governor Strickland’s spokesperson, Amanda Wurst, highlighted the statewide tuition freeze which the governor has fought to keep in place for a third year. Wurst also said that while many programs have been further reduced in the governor’s most recent budget framework, the War Orphans Scholarship has remained intact at $4.3 million.

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