Northern Kentucky University, beginning in January, will give $50,000 per semester in scholarship money to students to study abroad, according to a press release from the Media Relations and Communications department.

The commitment is a first for the university and the largest for any public school in the commonwealth for education abroad.

Fifty $1,000 travel grants will be given-$20,000 for winter and spring programs and $30,000 for summer programs.

“This program demonstrates NKU’s commitment to education beyond the borders of our campus,” said Mike Klembara, NKU’s director of international programs. “It will give the opportunity for international study to many NKU students that would have otherwise would have been financially restricted.”

Any full-time or continuing part-time degree-seeking student in good academic standing with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is eligible to apply for the award.

The student must also meet the qualifications for his or her chosen education abroad program. The education abroad program must be approved by the Office of International Programs.

The following information must be submitted to apply:

n a completed award application form

n a copy of completed application materials for or detailed information

n pertaining to the program in which the student plans to participate

n an official transcript

n a letter of recommendation from an NKU faculty member

n an essay describing the academic and personal benefits which the student

n believes he or she will derive from the experience and why the award will

n assist him or her in being able to participate in the education abroad program

Applications for winter and spring awards will be reviewed beginning Oct. 5.

Consideration of the 2002 Summer applications will begin Feb. 28 and the review of the 2002 Fall applications will begin May 1. Applications may be submitted at any time.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael Klembara, director of International Programs at NKU, at (859) 572-6512.