UNCF Scholarships For Children of Victims

[AKAtude]

***Found this on eurweb.***

UNCF OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN OF TERRORIST ATTACK VICTIMS
Offer will be extended to those qualified, immediately

(Oct. 26, 2001) Fairfax, VA - The children of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will be eligible to receive a full scholarship for a college education at one of the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) 39 member colleges and universities. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced the new program in a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel this morning saying, "The UNCF and its member institutions' actions and generosity have the potential to transform the lives of many innocent victims. They are giving the power that only education can bring."
The first three recipients are UNCF students who lost a parent or guardian in the tragedy. Tiffany and Yolanda Smith, freshmen twins at Johnson C. Smith University, lost their father, Leon Smith, Jr., a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 118, in the World Trade Center attack. Vernessa Richard, a senior at Johnson C. Smith University lost her father, Lt. Vernon Richard, a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 7, in the World Trade Center attack.

Scholarships will be offered to any child, regardless of age, who lost a parent or guardian, as a result of these tragic events. UNCF will not establish a special fund for this initiative. It is making this commitment from the generous support UNCF has received and will continue to receive from its donors. UNCF was founded 57 years ago in New York. Since that time, UNCF has raised nearly $1.8 billion to help deserving young people go to college. A large portion of that support has come from corporations, individuals and foundations in the New York community.

"In this critical time for our country, it is imperative to meet the needs of children whose lives were devastated by the attacks," said William H. Gray, III, president and CEO of UNCF. "I am pleased that the United Negro College Fund has launched a new scholarship program that will guarantee that all of the children of victims will be able to pursue higher education."

"The presidents of UNCF member institutions agreed to support this scholarship program because we're committed to providing access to higher education to thousands of young people," said Dr. David L. Beckley, President of Rust College and chairman of UNCF presidents. "Over the next 20 years, we will open our doors to the children of victims of this unspeakable tragedy."

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the September 11th attacks and the personal impact the tragedy had on some of our students," said Dr. Dorothy Yancy, President of Johnson C. Smith University. "However, it is comforting to know that all children who have been touched by this tragedy will have the opportunity to get a college education as a result of this initiative."

UNCF's 9-11 Scholarship program will be based on the following eligibility criteria:

--Student must be dependent of a parent or guardian who perished or was permanently disabled in the September 11, 2001 tragic events.

--Student must be accepted or enrolled full-time into one of the 39 UNCF member colleges or universities.

--Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the particular UNCF college or university.

Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need and will cover the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies.

UNCF hopes that other colleges and universities around the country join UNCF in making the guaranty of a college education possible for each and every victim of the September 11th tragedy because, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

UNCF BACKGROUND

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the nation's oldest and most successful African American higher education assistance organization. The organization has enhanced the quality of education by providing financial assistance to deserving students, raising operating funds for our 39 member colleges and universities, and increasing access to technology for students and faculty.


UNCF administers more than 450 scholarships and fellowships to students and faculty who attend our member colleges and universities, other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and majority institutions throughout the country. In its 57-year history, UNCF has raised nearly $1.8 billion to promote higher education achievement and has helped more than 300,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. For more information on UNCF visit: www.uncf.org.