by: Roxana Escobeda

​

UT shocks students with scholarship checks for $48,000

​

          Jina Kim got dressed up for what her dad said would be a family lunch Saturday, December 8, 2017. Instead, she was surprised by a knock n the door from University of Texas officials carrying balloons and an oversized $48,000 check. Jina, a Lewisville High senior, was among Dallas-area students stunned by the news that they had been accepted to the Austin campus and will receive Impact Scholarships that cover four years of tuition.  Jina plans to pursue a social work degree.

          "I've been really nervous about paying for college," she said, "I just felt good because that's going to put less of a burden on me and my parents.  I just have a heart to help people.  I know social work doesn't make a lot of money like the medical field, so this scholarship really helps me go after what I'm passionate about."

          Jina's dad, who owns a food stand at a local mall, also breathed a sigh of relief, as he has an older daughter about to graduate from UT whom he's helped get through school.  "I was the one about to cry when they told me because actually they are giving it to me," he joked.  "But really, I'm just so proud of her."

          The scholarships are typically awarded in the spring, but UT officials decided to surprise students at their homes in the fall to let them know early to ease financial worries.  The university awards about 30 such scholarships each year to students based on financial need, leadership potential, merit and other factors.  Students will still have to find aid or pay for other expenses like housing.

          Others receiving the good news included Landon Brickey of Marcus High School and Ayotelemi Ojo a senior at Cedar Hill High School.  Telemi, who was cooking eggs when officials surprised her in the kitchen, said she knew UT was for her back in summer 2016 as she attended a computer science camp that decided her major.

          "I just fell in love with the program there and with everything about the campus." the 17-year-old said.  "There was just a really great, cool spirit among all the people I met."

​