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New Scholarship to enable 15 recipients to pay rate of tuition in effect 15 years ago

Adelphi, Md. (May 1, 2014) – University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) today celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Waldorf Center, one of the oldest regional higher education centers in the state and a critical resource that extends higher education opportunities for students throughout Southern Maryland.

The event is cohosted by the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, with representatives from state and local government and the business community joining UMUC and CSM to mark the milestone. The event runs from 5:30–7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Waldorf Center for Higher Education, 3261 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Md.

As part of the 15th anniversary celebration, UMUC will announce a new scholarship for up to 15 graduates from CSM who meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship recipients will pay the tuition rate in effect 15 years ago.

The Waldorf Center was officially recognized in 1999 as a state-approved center by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It was established to foster degree completion, and is fully staffed by representatives from both institutions. Most importantly, it provides students in Southern Maryland with flexible and affordable pathways from an associate's to a bachelor's or master's degree.

The alliance with CSM ensures that students can transfer all of the credits from their associate's degree to UMUC, said Lisa Romano, associate vice president for college and university partnerships at UMUC. "And that milestone achievement of the associate's degree is very important to their future academic success."

Other resources are also available, including the UMUC Completion Scholarship, which is available to qualified graduates from any of Maryland's 16 community colleges. The scholarship brings the total out-of-pocket cost for a four-year degree down to about $20,000—including the cost of the associate's degree. It also provides close support from a comprehensive advising program and assistance with developing an action plan that will map a student's complete path to the bachelor's degree.

Plans are underway to offer new programs and services at the Waldorf Center, including an accelerated degree format and new alternatives for earning college credit, such as through workplace learning. And an initiative to enhance services for veterans gets under way in early May when the Center opens its Veterans Lounge, offering members of the joint UMUC/CSM Veterans Club a place to meet, study, network, and enjoy special presentations.

Said Romano, "We help students figure out the best place for them to start on their path to a degree. We help students reach their educational goals. And the vast majority of the time it's through the UMUC/CSM partnership."

To learn more about the Waldorf Center for Higher Education, umuc.edu/visitors/locations/waldorf.cfm.