Istanbul Student Awarded Grace College Full-Tuition President’s Scholarship

Grace College hosted the 2020 Presidential Scholarship Competition (PSC) on Feb. 14 and 15. The top award-winner and recipient of the 2020 full-tuition President’s Scholarship was Melika Minnaar, of Istanbul, Turkey.  Minnaar is the first international student to be selected as the President’s Scholarship recipient. “I cannot wait to embark on the thrilling journey at Grace! I am so excited to study at an academically excelling college that provides education through a Biblical worldview,” said Minnaar.

PSC is an invitation-only scholarship competition for qualifying high school seniors. Invitations are based on class rank, GPA, and SAT and ACT scores, with awards ranging from $4,000 per year scholarships to full tuition. In all, more than $2.2 million in scholarships were awarded.

The competing scholars numbered 102 from 10 states and 6 countries. Their average high school GPA was 4.04 with a 1300 average SAT score and a 28 average ACT score.

“The Presidential Scholarship Competition is a mainstay of Grace College,” said Dr. Mark Pohl, associate vice president of enrollment management and financial aid at Grace College. “Inviting the best and brightest high school seniors to our campus and getting to know them during the event is always a joy.”

On Friday, participants enjoyed dinner and a program, along with an opportunity to speak with faculty members and a panel discussion with former finalists. On Saturday, students competed for the scholarships through an interview and essay format.

Awardees are chosen based on both their test scores and their performance at the PSC. More than 50 scholars were honored with five levels of scholarships.

PSC is one facet of the robust financial aid program at Grace College.  The college is committed to offering affordable, excellent, Christian higher education. Ninety-nine percent of Grace students receive institutional financial aid. Tuition never increases after the first year of enrollment, and students can earn a bachelor’s degree in more than 70 majors in an accelerated three-year format.

For more information about financial aid and scholarships available at Grace College, visit www.grace.edu/admissions, call 866-974-7223 or email financialaid@grace.edu.