ECMC Congratulates 2017 ECMC Scholars Graduates in Oregon, Awards $468,000 in College Scholarships

PORTLAND, Ore., June 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is proud to recognize the 78 high school seniors from Oregon who this spring have completed the ECMC Scholars Program, qualifying each of them for up to $6,000 in scholarships for postsecondary education. These students attended eight high schools throughout Oregon and will be attending colleges across the state in the fall, including all seven public universities in Oregon, 11 of the 16 community colleges in the state as well as three out-of-state schools.

"College is a major financial investment for most families, which is why ECMC created the Scholars Program—to help ensure students who make the investment in their higher education are successful in that effort," said Paula Craw, ECMC vice president of student success and outreach. "In recognition of their hard work and completion of the program, the aid they receive will help defray the cost of attendance for students at any accredited college, university or technical school they choose."

For the past two years, these students have participated in the ECMC Scholars Program, a rigorous two-year mentoring program that allows select students to access up to $4,000 in scholarships their first year of college and, pending completion of all requirements, qualify for an additional $2,000 for their second year. Western Oregon University (WOU) has also committed to match the $6,000 ECMC Scholars financial award with an equal WOU scholarship amount offered to those students from the ECMC Scholars Program who attend WOU.

Unlike a traditional academic scholarship, these students weren't selected solely for their academic merit or test scores—instead, they were chosen for their potential. Working with an ECMC Scholars advisor, they've spent their junior and senior years building social and study skills and actively preparing for success in college.

"I have seen great strides from all of the ECMC Scholars I have worked with over the past two years," said ECMC Scholar Advisor Alexander Gonzalez. "They have demonstrated a commitment to preparing themselves for the next step in the educational careers, and I'm excited to see where that journey takes them."

Since 2008, ECMC has provided $4.74 million to 790 ECMC Scholars students in Oregon alone—on average, 80 students per year from eight high schools across the state. Over the past 13 years, ECMC has provided more than $15 million in financial aid to 5,080 students in Virginia, Oregon and Connecticut. ECMC has committed to supporting an additional 470 students with nearly $3 million in scholarships through 2019.

About ECMC
Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed. ECMC works to lower student loan default rates; sponsors college access and success initiatives, and financial literacy programs; and provides resources to support student loan borrowers to successfully repay their loans. Visit www.ecmc.org for more information.

SOURCE ECMC

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