2 0 24 AWA R D S TO S T U D E N T S
Scholarships and Challenge Scholars Grand Rapids Community Foundation is committed to creating opportunities and providing support for students. Through our annual General Scholarships program, the Community Foundation awards more than $1 million each year to students. We also provide scholarships to Challenge Scholars, a program built to support students and families on Grand Rapids’ west side to cover education costs after high school. Below is a summary of our recent support for students through scholarships.
$1,685,138 in scholarships to students
$1,235,751 General Scholarships
485
Challenge Scholars
397 General Scholarship Fund recipients 61% of students are the first in 88 Challenge Scholars recipients their family to attend college
“I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN PAYING FOR COLLEGE WAS GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE. DECIDING PHARMACY WAS THE PATHWAY FOR ME MADE ME WORRIED. IT REQUIRES A DOCTORATE, WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE DEGREE TO OBTAIN. THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL HELP ME SIGNIFICANTLY SUCCEED IN MY FUTURE EDUCATION AND HELP WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT COMES WITH IT.” – CARALYN, STUDENT AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
PARTNERS in community | 6
$449,387
70%
students of
MOST
scholarship recipients are first-generation students
are students of color
STUDENTS ARE
PURSUING
4-YEAR
DEGREES Students can also use scholarship awards to attend trade programs
Top institutions students choose to attend: Michigan State University I Grand Valley State University University of Michigan I Grand Rapids Community College I Western Michigan University
296
485
49
are graduate students!
A scholarship from the Community Foundation is one piece of a complicated financial aid puzzle. Even with federal, state, local or institution-based aid, a majority of recipients report unmet financial need. Scholarships reduce their loan burden.