USA Funds Supports Program That Funds College-Preparatory Education

Four years ago Jasmine Williams was starting her freshman year at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. The school has a reputation for outstanding preparation for higher education, with 100 percent of its 2005 graduating seniors going on to pursue four-year-college degrees. Like many students who attend the private school, Williams qualified to receive financial help with her tuition.

USA Funds^® is helping to ensure that Williams has the funds to complete her high-school education at Cathedral by contributing to the school’s Shamrock Scholars program. Williams is the first of four Cathedral students for whom USA Funds has funded four-year scholarships to attend the high school. In May she will become the first of the group to graduate from Cathedral.

The Shamrock Scholars program is a tuition-grant program that awards tuition to academically eligible students who demonstrate financial need.

“Thirty-five percent of our students receive some type of financial assistance,” says Mike Feeney, Cathedral vice president, institutional advancement. “We try to make the Cathedral experience as accessible as possible through financial aid, scholarships and grants.”

Edward Schmidt, a member of the USA Funds board of trustees, was instrumental in getting the Shamrock Scholars program started. “We could not have made this happen without Ed’s involvement,” says Pat Roe, manager, philanthropy, USA Funds. “He was familiar with Cathedral and knew this was an opportunity to not just donate money to a scholarship, but to actually invest in the future of these young people and to see their progress. He helped get the ball rolling, and really made things happen for these students.”

In 2002 the Shamrock Scholars committee selected Williams as the first USA Funds-funded Shamrock Scholar. In the fall she will attend Purdue University.

“Jasmine has grown and matured into a wonderful young lady during her time at Cathedral,” says Feeney. “I have no doubt she will be a success in her college years and beyond.”

The other recipients of USA Funds-supported grants through Shamrock Scholars — junior Baije Allen-Nicols, sophomore Karis Davis and freshman Joseph Greenwell — also are academically successful and involved in student life at Cathedral. Roe oversees USA Funds’ involvement in Shamrock Scholars and meets with the students regularly to stay involved in their progress and to offer them support.

“The kids are doing great,” says Roe. “I’ve seen them come in as scared freshman in a new environment and now they are all flourishing. They are earning good grades, making friends and making the most of their high-school experience.” 

USA Funds has committed to funding tuition for another four students over the next four years.

“We look forward to providing educational opportunities for students at Cathedral High School for another four years,” says Roe. “We are able to give students who otherwise might not be able to afford it an education at a college-preparatory school, helping to ensure their success in college and beyond.”