The Ball State Legacy Scholarship, a program rooted in tradition and fueled by community support, continues to provide significant financial aid to students with multi-generational ties to the university. The scholarship, funded primarily through the university’s Legacy Scholarship Program, aims to support students whose parents or grandparents attended Ball State, encouraging them to follow in their family’s footsteps and contribute to the school’s legacy.
Kelsie Walker, the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, emphasized how it aligns with the university’s values of community and connection.
"The idea is to support students at Ball State,” Walker said. “Their parents or grandparents went to Ball State, and we want those students to return and build that legacy of being Ball State grads.”
When purchasing a Ball State license plate, $25 from each $40 spent goes directly toward funding the Legacy Scholarship. Although many of the plates are purchased by alumni, Walker mentioned that support also frequently comes from parents of current students or graduates. She highlighted that supporting legacy students aligns with Ball State’s culture of beneficence.
"When alumni purchase a Ball State plate, they're directly supporting student scholarships. This reflects the spirit of generosity and gratitude that is central to Ball State," she said. "The scholarship embodies that sense of pride and connection that our alumni have, and it allows them to pass that on to future generations."
The Legacy Scholarship has made a significant impact, awarding nearly $250,000 in scholarships to over 200 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Since its establishment in 1983, more than $3.6 million has been awarded to over 2,200 students. These funds play a crucial role in relieving the financial burden for students and their families, especially those with a deep connection to Ball State.
Looking ahead, Walker believes the program will continue to grow, with the potential for even more students to benefit as more people renew or purchase Ball State plates.
"The more people that purchase and renew their Ball State license plates, the more support we can award to students,” Walker said. “We’re proud of the growth we’ve seen in the program, and we encourage continued support so that we can keep helping Ball State students."
As Ball State continues to build its legacy, the Legacy Scholarship stands as a symbol of generosity and connection between alumni and future generations of students.
Cardinal Families content was produced by the public relations team at The McKinley Avenue Agency. See the digital publication of Cardinal Families: Every Nest has a Story here
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