A new agreement between Texas A&M Commerce University and the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation gives “priority consideration” to Woodrow seniors interested in enrolling in the college’s Honors College and Regents Scholar Program. The Honors College works to provide a “debt-free education” for students by covering tuition, fees and housing, along with some meals and textbooks; the Regents Scholar Program offers a $5,000 yearly academic scholarship to cover most tuition and fees, along with a $500 housing scholarship during the student’s first year on campus.

The Foundation has been working with A&M Commerce to build a relationship between the schools, says Foundation chair Richard Vitale; a number of other colleges also have been targeted. The idea is to make higher education more affordable and more accessible to Woodrow’s graduating seniors, he says. The agreement with A&M Commerce provides for tutoring at Woodrow by Honors College students, sets up a program giving 25 Woodrow students an opportunity to participate in the university’s Summer Leadership Camp, and provides support for students needing help to navigate submission of financial aid and college application forms.

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The agreement doesn’t guarantee that Woodrow graduates will be accepted by A&M Commerce, Vitale says. Instead, otherwise qualified Woodrow grads will be given “priority consideration” during the admission process to be considered for scholarships such as those offered by the Honors College and Regents program.

The Foundation’s goal is to support Woodrow academically and financially; the group was instrumental in helping Woodrow receive International Baccalaureate designation and is supporting J.L. Long Middle School’s IB application. Its board is comprised of neighborhood residents, many of whom are Woodrow graduates and/or parents.

Woodrow Foundation – A&M Commerce Agreement