ECMC Foundation Increases its Pledge to Over $9 million in Higher Education Scholarships for Students

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ECMC Foundation announced today that it will increase funding by 20% to its Scholars Program. The funding increase means scholarships will be available to eligible ECMC Scholars through the graduating class of 2013. Since the program was launched, over 1,500 students have been selected for participation in this highly successful program.        

The ECMC Scholars Program was created to help students in need go to college. Public high schools in target states were chosen to participate in the program according to need-based criteria. High school counselors and teachers then identify students with financial need that show the potential to succeed in college, but lack the financial resources and, in many cases, the family precedent to attend college. In fact, most of the ECMC Scholars have been first generation college students.      

ECMC Foundation partnered with the Virginia Department of Education in 2003 to create the Virginia ECMC Scholars Program. Since then, six high school classes of ECMC Scholars have graduated from 10 participating high schools.

In 2006, ECMC Foundation expanded the program to Oregon in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education. Two classes of Oregon ECMC Scholars have since graduated from the eight participating high schools.

In 2010, ECMC Foundation further expanded the program to Connecticut in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Education. The first class to graduate from the eight Connecticut high schools will be in 2012.

"We are delighted to be able to make a difference in the lives of high school students who lack the financial resources, but show so much potential, pursue their dream of college," said March Kessler, executive director, ECMC Foundation.  

For more information about the ECMC Scholars Program, visit www.ecmcfoundation.org.

About ECMC Foundation

ECMC Foundation helps people of all ages further their education goals, particularly low-income individuals, as well as those who may be the first member of their family to have an opportunity to attend college. Our innovative outreach programs focus on college access, retention and success. Through partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions and community organizations, ECMC Foundation is able to help make the dream of college a reality for those individuals who may not otherwise have an opportunity to pursue higher education. For more information, visit www.ecmcfoundation.org. ECMC Foundation is funded by ECMC Group.

SOURCE ECMC Foundation