The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) President and CEO Janice R. Black announced today that more than $1.28 million was awarded in scholarship funds to 447 local students for the 2016 – 2017 academic year. Over 800 students applied for scholarship assistance.
“We are committed to providing young adults in our community every opportunity to learn and grow through the gift of educational scholarships,” said President & CEO Black. “The scholarship funds we administer have been created by generous, community-minded individuals and organizations that recognize the importance of investing in our community’s youth.”
TFEC offers over 120 scholarship opportunities through various scholarship funds administered by TFEC, and through management agreements with the Samuel L. Abrams Foundation, and the Leon Lowengard and Ray S. Shoemaker scholarships of BNY Mellon, N.A. All scholarships have been established by local individuals, corporations or organizations to assist students with their educational pursuits. Whether honoring loved ones or providing for specific communities, each scholarship expresses a deep belief in the power of education to help today’s youth achieve their dreams.
“College tuition rates are on the rise and the cost to attend college is becoming increasingly difficult to meet. Higher education isn’t just critical for our children, but it’s also the key to Central PA’s future,” Susan Mountz, a scholarship donor and volunteer. “This generation of students deserves the same opportunity so many of us have already had… the chance to learn, to explore, to understand what inspires and stimulates them. In the end, the passions and skills they develop through higher education will only serve all of us for years to come.”
TFEC, through its many scholarship programs, continues to assist students each year through scholarship grants. Scholarship applicants demonstrate individual excellence in areas such as community service, leadership, sports, music, academics, and other unique characteristics. Visit www.tfec.org in November to review available scholarships, eligibility criteria, and deadlines for the 2016-2017 academic year.
TFEC is a partner of the American Education Services (AES)/PHEAA’s Partnerships for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program. Scholarship recipients are eligible to have their awards matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by AES/PHEAA’s PATH Program. PHEAA may match grant funds for TFEC scholarship recipients who are enrolled in an approved PA college or career school, who are state grant recipients, and who demonstrate financial need. The match provides last dollar support for tuition, books and fees. Scholarship recipient information is submitted by TFEC staff; no additional paperwork is required by students in order to be eligible for a PATH Program match. For additional information on this program, please visit www.pheaa.org.
