SBCO supports local scholars
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
Each year SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) provides college scholarships to high school graduates in the tri-community area. This year 62 students are now receiving a scholarship to attend the college of choice. These students are attending 11 different schools:
Central Arizona College, 14 students; Mesa Community College, one student; Pima Community College, one student; Arizona State University, six students; Brigham Young University, two students; University of Arizona, 14 students; Eastern Arizona College, one student; Grand Canyon University, 10 students; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one student; Northern Arizona University, 11 students; Wayland Baptist University, one student.
Each year members of the SBCO Educational Committee meet with local high school counselors to explain the scholarship program so they can encourage students to apply. After the applications are received committee members review each student’s financial situation, high school transcript, activities, an essay about personal and professional goals and letters of recommendation. They then conduct a personal interview to select the scholarship recipients. This year the committee received 42 applications an.isited five high schools prior to making the incredibility difficult choice of 26 freshmen scholarship recipients.
Students attending two-year colleges receive a $1,500 per year scholarship while those attending four-year institutions receive $2,500 per year. If a student earns a minimum 2.0 GPA while registered as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, the scholarship continues until a two- or four-year degree is completed. If a student’s tuition and other expenses are otherwise covered, SBCO will pay for a computer, parking passes and other school-related expenses to offer the maximum benefit from the scholarship.
Through the years scholarship students have kept the committee apprised of their academic progress and expressed deep gratitude for the financial assistance received. With the ever-rising cost of post-high school education, SBCO’s scholarships help make college more affordable for these students. This is one of the many ways in which SBCO strives to provide educational opportunities to local students.