Before stepping foot on the campus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) the incoming class of 2020 is already making waves in the headlines for incredible academic achievements.
Numerous incoming students have secured impressive amounts of scholarship dollars, including three scholars who have wracked up more than $1 million in scholarship offers from various universities and organizations.
Taiylar Ball, an incoming freshman from Chicago, is one of those students. Ball received more than $1 million in scholarships and 11 college acceptances and has chosen to bring her academic talents to FAMU to study biology and pre-medicine.
“My journey to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University was not perfect, but I truly believe it was my destiny,” Ball said. “I chose to attend a school that cared about me academically, mentally, and also treated me like family. There is no place in the world like FAMU, and I’m happy I get to begin the next chapter of my life here. Truly a Rattler. Boldly a Rattler. Happy to be a Rattler for life,” she added.
Ball is one of 113 incoming Rattlers who will begin their journey at FAMU this fall as Distinguished Scholar Award recipients.
To qualify as a Distinguished Scholar, incoming high school seniors must have an academic core GPA of 3.5 and a score of 1800 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT.
As Distinguished Scholars, students will receive a full four-year scholarship that pays for tuition and fees, housing, and meals. Distinguished Scholars who qualified as National Achievement or Merit semifinalists, finalists, or received the designation will receive additional support from the University.
Scholars also classified as National Achievement or Merit semifinalists or finalists, will also receive up to $500 a semester for books. In addition, National Achievement or Merit finalists majoring in STEM will receive a laptop. National Achievement or Merit Scholar designees will receive a laptop, $500 per semester for books, and a $500 per semester stipend.
Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson, Jr., Ph.D., said FAMU has always been focused on recruiting students who have achieved academic excellence throughout high school and will continue to ensure the University is obtaining scholars from across the nation.
“Florida A&M University has always recruited the best and brightest students nationally and internationally,” Hudson said. “FAMU provides a quality education which prepares our students for the global market.”
He added, “We have continued to improve our strategies to enroll these academically talented students as demonstrated by the number of Distinguished Scholars admitted to the University. These high caliber students will serve as academic ambassadors of the University and assist in attracting future scholars.”
