Covenant enrolls 340, adds mentorship

When freshman Ashley Zammitt learned she would attend UNC, she had two reasons to celebrate.

Not only did Zammitt gain entry to her first choice of colleges, but she will graduate from the University debt-free.

As one of the beneficiaries of the Carolina Covenant Scholars program, Zammitt's full financial need will be covered by the University.

"(It was) almost like a sigh of relief, but I was definitely excited about it too," Zammitt said. "I feel like I can get an education and get a normal college experience without having to worry about whether I can afford my meal plan."

Zammitt was one of the 340 students accepted into this fall's entering Carolina Covenant class. In order to be eligible, family income must fall at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Last year, the first for the program, the University welcomed 225 scholars, but students had to fall at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

University officials released Friday statistics detailing this year's incoming class of scholars.

Of the 340 students entering this fall, 237 fell at or below 150 percent of the poverty level, while 103 landed between 151 percent and 200 percent, according to data from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.

Students within the lower income bracket had an average SAT score of 1209, and students with higher family incomes scored an average of 1251.

As a whole, the entering freshman class scored an average of 1299 on the test.

Shirley Ort, director of scholarships and student aid, noted that students who attend high schools with more advanced classes or who have advantages like SAT-prep classes often are more prepared than students from lower-income backgrounds.

"(There is) a strong correlation between SAT scores and income," she said.

The entering Covenant class also includes 132 first-generation college students. Their average SAT score was 1185, and 66 percent are minorities.

University officials said they are doing their best to ensure that these students succeed once they get to UNC. A mentorship program now is in place for Covenant members who choose to participate. Groups of about 15 students are assigned a mentor from the faculty or staff.

"(We want to) try to personalize the experience as much as possible and make the transition to the University as easy as possible," said Fred Clark, faculty coordinator of the mentorship program.

Freshman Covenant member Ryan Jones, of Sanford, predicted that the mentorship program will help him adjust to Chapel Hill.

"I'm always on the lookout for - anything that people can hint at to make the transition easier," he said.

Ort said the real value of the Covenant comes from its attention to student experiences during their entire stint as undergraduates.

"The focus isn't on the money," she said. "We're evaluating ourselves by how many students graduate after their senior year."

 

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.