New award announced to recognize student leaders in public service

Yesterday, Monday, March 22nd, the Pearson Foundation announced the newly established Pearson Prize for Higher Education. Unlike other scholarship programs that recognize the accomplishments of graduating high school seniors, the Pearson Foundation honors students who have already established a path in their college careers. The Pearson Prize is awarded to university students who have demonstrated leadership in community service while taking on a full undergraduate academic course load.

The Pearson Foundation prides itself on cultivating a culture of compassion. It has made a strong commitment to fostering effective education across the globe and providing opportunities for children and educators alike. By teaming up with other nonprofit organizations, the Pearson Foundation is able to support educational initiatives and invest in students who are making a difference in the world today.

In awarding the Pearson Prize, the foundation has partnered with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) to administer the prize. NSCS is an honor society that high-achieving university students are invited to during their freshmen and sophomores years. One of the benefits the honor society offers is providing the "tools and encouragement [students] need to take part in transforming the on-campus and community-wide issues that mean the most to them." With the Pearson Foundation, NSCS will fulfill this role by identifying 70 college students who are making great strides in giving back to the community.

The Pearson Prize for Higher Education aims to bridge the gap of financial assistance for students who became involved in their communities after high school. Therefore, the Pearson Foundation will be granting a total of $225,000 to students already enrolled in institutions of higher education. The funds will be distributed to two select groups of students, the Pearson Prize Scholars and the Pearson Prize Grantees. Each group will consist of students from both 4-year and 2-year institutions. The 20 students selected to be Pearson Prize Scholars will receive $10,000 each over the course of two years. The 50 students selected as Pearson Prize Grantees will receive $500 each in one year.

Eligibility requirements and details about the application process are available on the NSCS Pearson Prize webpage. The deadline to apply is April 11, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The Pearson Prize for Higher Education was created to recognize students who have made a significant impact on their communities. Recipients of the award will not only receive accolades for their contributions to society, they will also serve as inspiration to fellow classmates. These students will prove that, as members of the higher education community, they too have the power to make a difference in the world.