New Opportunities at Hofstra Scholars Program

The New Opportunities at Hofstra Scholars Program

The NOAH Program, since its inception in 1964, has provided highly motivated and diverse students with access to higher education at one of the country's finest postsecondary institutions. Today, the NOAH Program offers academic, financial and social support resources for students from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds who attend Hofstra University.

As an accepted NOAH scholar, students complete a free five-week, Pre-Freshman Summer Academy prior to entering Hofstra in the fall. The Pre-Freshman Summer Academy lays the foundation for success at Hofstra University.

At the start of the fall semester, and every semester thereafter, NOAH scholars receive ongoing academic support, financial aid and educational enrichment opportunities throughout their time at Hofstra. The support services include, but are limited to:

Academic and personal counseling
Mentoring
Academic and Professional Development workshops and seminars
Tutoring
Financial advisement
Multicultural Educational Experiences
Graduate school and career advisement
Leadership Development Opportunities

The words of the famous civil rights pioneer and advocate Frederick Douglass, "If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress." captures the character and spirit of NOAH scholars. NOAH scholars are successful in a wide variety of endeavors and they are perennially among Hofstra's most distinguished alumni.

The NOAH Advantage

NOAH Scholars Enrich the Learning Environment at Hofstra University
Hofstra University is dedicated to offering educational, co-curricular and cultural programs and activities that foster an awareness of local, national and global issues, encouraging students to be active citizens and contributors to their local, national and global communities.

NOAH Scholars support this objective in several ways. They are leaders on campus and in the community. Many serve as presidents and executive members of cultural student organizations that facilitate cultural, social and educational programs on campus.

The existence of these organizations supports the engagement and retention of underrepresented students and enhances the educational experience of all members of the Hofstra community.

NOAH Scholars Contribute to a Diverse Academic Community at Hofstra

Hofstra University is devoted to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diverse academic community of students, faculty, staff and administrators respectful of the contributions and dignity of each of its members.

The NOAH Program is an important component of Hofstra University. NOAH Scholars enrich the learning experiences of students beyond the immediate NOAH Community through the contribution of their diverse perspectives and life experiences. The community includes students from New York City, Long Island, and Upstate.

The NOAH Program contributes significantly to the university’s mission by recruiting and retaining students who have historically been underrepresented in higher education. In particular, the program contributes substantially to the university’s retention and graduation of African American and Latino students.

African American and Latino NOAH Scholars are retained at a rate of 98% and 97% respectively. They maintain an aggregate cumulative grade point average of 3.03 and 3.12 respectively.

Academic Support and Counseling

Academic Advisors: All NOAH scholars have access to a university professional who is committed to serving as a mentor and advisor throughout their undergraduate tenure at Hofstra. Advisors help NOAH scholars navigate the university, chart their academic path, and manage personal challenges. Students can meet with their Advisors by appointment or as the need arises throughout the semester.

Peer Tutors: New NOAH scholars are connected to peer tutors from among who are successful current NOAH scholars. Peer tutors reside with new students during the Summer Academy and offer helpful advice, educational programs and instructional support in specific subjects.

Learning Resource Center: NOAH Scholars have access to their own computer lab providing them with educational technologies, including computers, software and other resources that promote their academic success.

Advocacy: NOAH Advisors serve as an advocates between students and faculty, other university departments, or outside agencies.

Educational Enrichment Advisement: NOAH staff assist students in determining what their goals are and how to enhance their educational experience at Hofstra. This includes but is not limited to:

Graduate School Preparation and Advisement
Study Abroad Opportunities
Internships and Externships with NOAH Alumni
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Identification

Pre-Freshman Summer Academy

During the free five-week Pre-Freshman Summer Academy, Scholars reside on campus as part of a learning community that allows them to address individual academic needs and earn up to six (6) university credits. It also helps them adjust to the academic rigors of college-level coursework, strengthen their learning skills, develop relationships with faculty, and enhance their knowledge of competencies and strategies that will foster their academic excellence.

The Summer Academy also provides opportunities for scholars to participate in educational enrichment opportunities, such as alumni career panels, leadership development and multicultural educational programs that help prepare them for leadership at Hofstra and in their communities.

Overall, new NOAH Scholars acquire a major educational advantage because they:

Embark on the academic career knowing how to adjust to rigorous college coursework.
Earn college credits that will save educational costs and can accelerate the completion of their degree.
Receive academic support in academic areas to help them excel at Hofstra.
Become familiar with where the resources and support networks are at Hofstra University.
Become a member of a community of scholars that will enhance their educational experience at Hofstra.
Cultivate critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing skills, which prepares them for future academic excellence.

Admissions Process

Special admission programs, such as NOAH, were designed to meet the needs of students who have been systematically denied access to higher education. Available evidence gives weight to the view that factors other than grades and test scores are of greater importance in predicting academic success. Although the Program does evaluate high school grades, some of the other indicators which are utilized by the Program include:

Positive self-concept, confidence, strength, determination, and independence.
Understands and deals with the problems of adversity
Realistic self-appraisal - recognizes and accepts any academic or background deficiencies and
tries for self-improvement.
Prefers long-range goals to short-term (immediate) and accepts deferred gratification
Availability of a strong support person
Successful leadership experience-ability to organize and influence others
Demonstrated community service

In addition, during the interview process the applicant's proposed field of study is also thoroughly discussed. At Hofstra University, students are not admitted into a specific degree program; they can major in any of the majors offered at the University.

Interviews are conducted by the Program Selection Committee, which is comprised of NOAH staff, students, and University administrators. The selection committee uses the interview to look for evidence of the above indicators focusing on levels of motivation, potential interest in Hofstra, positive goals, and of primary importance, the applicant's own self-image.

One of the reasons that the Program has been successful is due to the rigorous admission process and the ability to identify through this process those applicants who have a great deal of potential for succeeding in college and beyond.

Scholarships

Hofstra offers a variety of undergraduate merit and need-based awards during the admission process. Other scholarships are available to continuing undergraduate students from the various University schools and departments. Please refer to the University Bulletin for more information.

Program students have been recipients of the following scholarships:

NOAH Endowed Scholarship
William Randolph Hearst NOAH Endowed Scholarship
Martin Luther King Scholarship
Eugene Bennett Scholarship
Project NOAH Scholarship

Grants

FEDERAL PELL GRANTS: Federal Pell Grants are awarded to full-time and part-time undergraduate students. Eligibility is based on students' financial needs per federal methodology. Award amounts for student attending full time can range from $602 to a maximum of $5,730. All students applying for financial assistance will first be considered for a Federal Pell Grant.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG): Federal
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students receiving Federal Pell Grants.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP): New York Tuition Assistance Program grants awarded based on information provided on the FAFSA, and supplemental information requested on the TAP express form. Undergraduate and graduate recipients must be New York State residents attending an in-state college or university full-time. Students must meet the academic renewal criteria, which are evaluated at the end of each semester