SUPPORT STUDENTS C a n Co u nt O n Meet Kennia “I love school,” says Kennia Cifuentes, a young professional working at Fifth Third Bank. She is close to earning her third degree, an MBA from Ferris State University, after earning an associate’s from Grand Rapids Community College and her bachelor’s in economics from the University of Michigan.
Fast-track to the Finish Line Providing support for education has been central to our work since 1945, when we set up scholarships to address a local shortage of nurses following World War II. The Community Foundation remains responsive to the needs of our community and our students by making college and career training more affordable.
As Kennia nears the 10th anniversary of her high school graduation from Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, she and her family have reflected on how far she’s come. “They’re like, ‘Oh my God, Kennia. You see how this has paid off? You have flexibility—a lot of people don’t have that.’” They see how her degrees have given her choice in how she wants her life to look, personally and professionally.
“I’m working on my master’s right now, and I’m like, ‘How am I gonna pay this?’ Grad school is so much more expensive. I’m not even living on campus, and just one class can be $2,500. That’s double from undergrad,” Kennia said.
Facing The Numbers Still, college and graduate school can be daunting. Alongside studying and earning good grades, many students also face big bills and systemic barriers. Instead of counting herself out, Kennia has strategically navigated a system of resources to help her achieve her goals. She began building her network at UPrep. When Kennia was a senior, Principal Kenyatta Hill-Hall connected her to scholarships at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Principal Hill-Hall also serves on one of the nine Community Foundation scholarship selection committees. She said, “because I work in the industry of education, I’m also helping inform those who are sitting at the selection table. I continue to share stories of scholars who have the aspiration, but have financial challenges, being the first in their families to navigate these systems.”
This year, alongside 172 other students, Kennia was invited to fill out our new fast-track application. This shorter application allowed last year’s recipients to verify their eligibility for renewal without filling out the full general application each year. Re-awarding scholarships is a best practice that increases students’ likelihood of earning their degree or credential; the fast-track application makes it easier and less time-consuming for students to get the scholarship we already know they’re eligible for. “This year we had the fast track, and it was super easy. I liked it a lot, especially being in grad school and working full-time,” Kennia says. Students can count on us to make college more affordable and scholarship applications more accessible. This helps them focus on what matters to them. G.L.S. Photos courtesy of Kennia Cifuentes, cover photo by Alfield Reeves Photography
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Kennia received Community Foundation scholarships throughout her undergraduate experience and received a scholarship this spring for her MBA. Money to attend school allowed her to focus on her schoolwork and have confidence that she could pay her tuition bills.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE WORKING TOWARD
213
bachelor’s
38
associate’s
26
master’s
4
trade
32
undecided
Pictured this page (top to bottom): Kennia graduating high school, graduating from college, and with Kenyatta Hill-Hall Pictured opposite page: Kennia Cifuentes