FAQ: The Park Program
- What is the Park Scholarship?
- What is the Park Foundation?
- What are the conditions for the renewal of the Park Scholarship?
- What other benefits does the Park Scholarship provide besides covering college expenses?
- Does being a Park Scholar take a lot of time?
- How often do Park Scholars meet?
- Who are the Park Faculty Scholars?
- Can Park Scholars receive additional funding for activities?
- What are Learning Laboratories?
- Where do Park Scholars go after they graduate?
What is the Park Scholarship?
The Park Scholarship is a four-year award that covers tuition and fees, board, lodging, and books, in addition to a stipend for a personal computer. An academic enrichment program complements the full award.
What is the Park Foundation?
The Park Foundation of Ithaca, New York, funds the Park Scholarships. See the Park Foundation primarily supports scholarships in higher education, quality media that heightens public awareness of critical issues, and protection of the environment. The Park Scholarships were established as a legacy to the late Roy H. Park '31, a distinguished alumnus of NC State and founder of Park Communications. For more information, see the History and Purpose section for more details.
What are the conditions for the renewal of the Park Scholarship?
The Park Scholarship is renewable for a total of eight semesters. Scholars must meet high standards in academic performance, character, conduct, and participation in program and service activities while taking at least 15 credit hours per semester.
What other benefits does the Park Scholarship provide besides covering college expenses?
Scholars participate in enrichment activities including class trips and a leadership development seminar. They explore their academic interests with faculty mentors and may apply for grants to fund research, artistic, or service projects. Park Scholars receive priority registration for classes. International study opportunities are also available.
For more information, visit The Park Experience.
Does being a Park Scholar take a lot of time?
Park Scholars do spend time on service and program activities. A student should expect to spend about the same time on Park Scholarships activities as he or she might spend in a three credit-hour university course.
How often do Park Scholars meet?
During the first year, scholars meet weekly through the leadership seminar. After the first year, students meet less frequently and usually at class meetings or on class trips. A weekly time is reserved all four years for class and project planning meetings.
Who are the Park Faculty Scholars?
Two faculty meet regularly with each class of scholars and assist them in organizing their enrichment activities. Please visit The Program Community page for a list of the current Park Faculty Scholars.
Can Park Scholars receive additional funding for activities?
Yes, scholars may apply for a Park Enrichment Grants. There are also Study Abroad travel grants offered by the Park Alumni Society.
What are Learning Laboratories?
There are two Learning Laboratories that are essentially field trips for Scholars to learn more about leadership challenges. The first trip is to a region of North Carolina during the spring of the first year. Learning Laboratory II is to Washington, DC, over fall break of the sophomore year.
Where do Park Scholars go after they graduate?
Park Scholars work, attend graduate school, and engage in public service. Park Scholars attend some of the most prestigious graduate programs in the nation, such as MIT, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and Harvard, and are hired by Fortune 100 companies. Scholars also choose public service, through Teach For America and the Peace Corps, after graduation. See About the Scholarship and the Park Alumni pages for more details.