James Couch Jr. and Kassidy Nichols, two students in the Class of 2024, will not have to worry about the cost of college tuition and fees as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. That’s because both have been selected as Gates Scholars.
The Gates Scholarship Program is a highly-selective, last dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a scholar’s college or university. The program defines cost of attendance as tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and may include other personal costs.
More than 53,000 students applied for this prestigious scholarship. Couch and Kassidy are two of 750 scholars – less than 1% of the total number of applicants – to be selected.
The last NLRSD student to receive this scholarship was a part of the NLRHS Class of 2016. It is an impressive feat for two students from the same school and in the same year to earn this scholarship.
Both Couch and Nichols have been a part of the North Little Rock School District all of their lives. They attended elementary school at Indian Hills.
Couch, who has a 4.17 grade point average, will be attending Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., to study biology. He aspires to become a pediatric physician. While at NLRHS, Couch has been a part of Key Club, Beta Club, STARS, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. He has also been a part of the Student Council, and this year, he serves as President. His peers selected him this year as Mr. North Little Rock High School.
The cost to attend Howard University is roughly $55,000 per year.
“I’m excited because [tuition] is one less thing I have to worry about. College is filled with a lot of unknowns. This is a new journey, and not having to worry about the money makes this new chapter so much easier. I get to go to college stress free and focus on enjoying the college experience and making good grades,” Couch said.
Nichols, who is enrolled in the Center of Excellence, has a 4.15 grade point average. She plans to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, Florida. She will study aeronautical science to earn a professional and commercial license in piloting. While at the Center of Excellence, Nichols has held membership in Key Club, TRIO Club, ASL Club, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She is also a member of the Student Council, currently serving as Secretary. Nichols reigns as Homecoming Queen and Miss North Little Rock High School.
The cost to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is roughly $62,000 per year.
“I am beyond grateful. There were a lot of times I had to miss out on things and shed a lot of tears because I was extremely focused on my studies. It is truly heartwarming to see the fruit of my labor now that I have reached this moment,” Nichols said.