by Madi Cannon, Public Relations Writer
Each year, Cedarville University awards a full-tuition scholarship to a student who has grown up in Ohio鈥檚 foster care system. This year鈥檚 recipient is Allie Eybers, a freshman communication major from Munroe Falls, Ohio.
Eybers grew up in a Christian family and committed herself to Jesus at a young age. When she was 12 years old, her mom died from breast cancer.
鈥淎fter my mom鈥檚 death, I really began to doubt my relationship with God,鈥 explained Eybers. 鈥淏ut I still had my dad. He was the one who kept encouraging me and making sure my faith stood solid.鈥
When Eybers was 16 years old, her dad died suddenly from a heart attack. She felt lost, and nothing made sense to her.
During the summer before her senior year of high school, Eybers went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with her school. On that trip, she felt God鈥檚 love, and she renewed her relationship with Christ.
Eybers heard about Cedarville University through a friend at school. After she visited Cedarville, she fell in love with it and knew it was where she wanted to be. However, she was concerned about paying tuition.
After talking with her high school鈥檚 college placement counselor, Eybers learned that she qualified for Cedarville鈥檚 foster care scholarship. After much prayer, she applied and was selected for the full-tuition scholarship.
鈥淚t still amazes me that I鈥檓 actually here at Cedarville to study,鈥 said Eybers. 鈥淭wo years ago, I didn鈥檛 think it would be possible for me to attend a Christian school.鈥
In 2013, Thomas White, president of Cedarville University, created the scholarship to answer God鈥檚 call to care for the orphans. Since the scholarship鈥檚 inception, five students have been awarded full-tuition scholarships.
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must be in custody of either a foster home or a ward of the state, meet all admissions requirements, and annually complete the (FAFSA).
More information about the foster care scholarship can be found online here.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.