Some paper work and a three page personal statement can make a full time student $1000 richer courtesy of Project Connect, the new program launched by Associated Students Inc.(ASI).

Project Connect was designed to promote academic success and financial support, particularly to low income and underrepresented minorities. Under the direction of Mario Flores, Project Connect is offering $28,000 in scholarships. These scholarships-worth $1,000 each-are being offered to 28 SF State students.

Full-time students for the 2006-2007 academic year that have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is Feb. 16.

There are two scholarships for each of the 14 separate categories that students can apply for. Some categories cover specific colleges, such as College of Science and Engineering, College of Humanities, and College of Business to name a few. Other categories include Graduate Student, Disabled Student, Single Parent Student, International Student and New Immigrant.

The 28 scholarships are not new to SF State,but it’s the first time Project Connect oversees them. In past years, ASI received hundreds of applicants, but last year they received only 18, according to ASI office manager Hong Nguyen.

ASI tries to keep students informed through various advertising such as campus tabling, links to their Web site and handouts given to faculty to pass out in class. Oddly, ASI has put the most effort in advertising this year than any other, but so far has yielded the least results.

“Maybe students just don’t want a scholarship this year,” said Nguyen.

The scholarship program is just one of at least five other distinct programs and services under Project Connect.

As a direct response to the cost of textbooks, the program also offers a Book Loan service. The service is offered to any SF State student enrolled in a minimum of six units and receiving financial aid.

“We are trying to cater to about 50 studentsand so far only one student has applied,” Flores said.

Students can borrow up to two books for the semester without putting any money down. However, due to a small $1,300 budget, the Book Loan service is currently limited to students enrolled in ethnic studies classes. The deadline to apply is Feb. 10, and books are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until Feb. 13.

Fourty-two dollars of student fees goes towards the programs and services ASI provides to students, automatically making all students members.

For more information on Project Connect, visit the A.S.I. offices in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, room M-113D, or visit their website at www.asisfsu.org.