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Half-court shot nets Ball State freshman free tuition for a semester (VIDEO)

student winner

Ball State University

It’s doubtful that anyone needs a reminder that the cost of attending college is rising by the year, so every little bit helps. Ball State freshman Markus Burden, who hails from Frankfort, Ill., he had the opportunity that just about any college student would sign up for at his school’s “Welcome Week” festivities on Thursday night.

The opportunity: make a half-court shot and he wins free tuition for a semester.

The result:

Burden, who missed three attempts before draining the fourth, will have his out-of-state tuition (reportedly valued at $11,084) handled by the university according to Stephanie Wang of the Indianapolis Star.

Burden wanted to win the free tuition for his mom. But when he called her, almost in tears, she didn’t believe him until a friend sent her photographic proof.

“It just gives us a lot of breathing room right now,” he said.

Every little bit helps.

Follow @raphiellej