ECMC Awards $930,000 in College Scholarships to 155 Students in Connecticut, Oregon and Virginia

June 25, 2021

ECMC is proud to recognize 155 high school graduates from the class of 2021 who completed the ECMC Scholars Program. These students come from select high schools across Connecticut, Oregon and Virginia, and each earned a $6,000 scholarship.

For the past two years, these students participated in a comprehensive mentoring program designed to help build academic and life skills. Unlike a traditional academic scholarship, students were selected to participate in the program based on their potential—not solely on their academic merit. Working in collaboration with school staff and the ECMC Scholars Program team, students spent their junior and senior years of high school actively preparing for postsecondary education.

"The class of 2021 Scholars are amazing. Their world was turned upside down with the pandemic and virtual learning during their senior year of high school. I'm so proud of each of these students," said Jan Smith, ECMC Scholars program manager.

The scholarship funds can be used for enrollment in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college, university or career and technical education institution. In addition, each scholarship recipient has been given the opportunity to receive personalized near-peer college coaching services provided by Beyond 12, which provides academic, social and emotional support students need to persist in postsecondary education.

"Now more than ever, it is important to provide students with a holistic approach to helping them get to and through postsecondary education," said Paula Craw, vice president of outreach for ECMC. "The ECMC Scholars Program is designed to help students with challenges that may prevent them from reaching their education goals."

Over the past 17 years, ECMC has awarded $19.4 million in scholarships to 3,174 students in Virginia, Oregon and Connecticut.

Connecticut press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecmc-awards-324-000-in-college-scholarships-to-54-students-in-connecticut-301320346.html

Oregon press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecmc-awards-336-000-in-college-scholarships-to-56-students-in-oregon-301320345.html

Virginia press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecmc-awards-270-000-in-college-scholarships-to-45-students-in-virginia-301320349.html