Grant will enhance access to higher education in California
USA Funds awards $363,000 grant to raise scholarship funds, bolster college preparation
INDIANAPOLIS — USA Funds®, the nation’s leading education-loan guarantor, has announced the award of a $363,000 grant to establish new scholarship organizations and college-preparation programs at sites in California. USA Funds awarded the grant to Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational-support organization.
“This funding will enhance the scholarship dollars available to help California families pay for college and make more widely available a proven program that helps middle- and high-school students plan and prepare for college,” said Henry Fernandez, USA Funds executive director, scholarships, outreach and philanthropy. “This grant is part of an expansion of our long-term partnership with California higher education.”
The grant will support two programs of Scholarship America.
Dollars for Scholars. A national network of more than 1,210 community-based scholarship foundations, Dollars for Scholars raises funds to provide scholarships to help local students pursue higher learning. Dollars for Scholars chapters also offer a variety of academic-support programs connecting students and parents with resources in the community — including mentoring and tutoring programs, finding financial aid and securing grants and loans. USA Funds’ grant will support the establishment of five new Dollars for Scholars chapters in California.
ScholarShop. These curriculum and multimedia resource centers motivate and prepare young people for higher education by helping them explore career and postsecondary-education options. ScholarShop offers a complete curriculum that encourages students to examine their career and education interests, explains the college-admissions and financial-aid processes, and prepares them for the transition from high school to college. USA Funds’ grant will support five new ScholarShop sites in California.
“USA Funds’ support will allow us to establish new grassroots organizations that help more young people benefit from college,” said Ann Worley, executive director, California Dollars for Scholars.
The 63 Dollars for Scholars chapters in California raised more than $3.3 million and provided 1,770 scholarships last year.