January 11, 2024
Savannah Fout, a Richmond Dale, Ohio native, qualified for the Free Tuition program as an incoming freshman at Shawnee State University. Majoring in Studio Arts, Fouts is confident in her decision to continue her education at SSU, aware of the stability this scholarship award gives her during, and after, her college years.
“After I graduate, I will not have to worry about paying as much back,” she said. “It is one less thing to worry about, helping me jump straight into my career and pursue my passion.”
SSU’s Free Tuition program for Pell-eligible students provides free undergraduate tuition for qualifying incoming freshmen residing in Scioto, Lawrence, Adams, Pike, Jackson, Ross, Gallia, Brown, Highland, and Vinton counties in Ohio; or Greenup, Boyd, and Lewis counties in Kentucky.
Fouts was not only attracted to attending SSU for this scholarship opportunity, but also had an interest in the artistic community on the rise in the Portsmouth area. She hopes to use her Studio Arts education to help the city continue to embrace its creative and artistic opportunities.
“Portsmouth’s potential is the main reason I came to Shawnee,” she said. “There is a budding opportunity for artists in the area, and I want to contribute to making it grow.”
Fouts is looking forward to the opportunities that were provided to her by SSU’s Free Tuition award and feels she has many avenues to embark on through her degree in Studio Arts. Already in her first year, she has been introduced to new artistic techniques in her courses, encouraging her to work outside of her comfort zone and continue to grow as an artist.
“As an artist, I want to share my story and hope that what I create will resonate with someone else,” she said.
To learn more about the Free Tuition Program at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/free-tuition.