PINELLAS COUNTY – On August 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of the College Fund of Pinellas County, Inc., determined that available funds were sufficient to add two more students to the 28 previously selected July 30, 2022, to receive $1,200 per year grants to help with their college expenses.
Board member Dr. Shirley Lorenzo called each new grant recipient to notify them of their good fortune, and $600 checks for the fall 2022 semester were mailed out by Treasurer Ken Fullerton. A second $600 check for the spring 2023 semester will be distributed to the students in December after their fall semester grades are reviewed.
Nineteen of the selectees are entering their freshman year, and for freshmen, the award amounts to a $4,800 four-year scholarship since students continue to receive $1,200/year if they continue to receive a Pell Grant and maintain their grades.
Thirty-five students whose applications met the College Fund’s grade point average and financial need requirements were selected to be interviewed. Each interview was scored based on the student’s academic and financial preparations and their attitude about the college they were attending and the degree they were seeking.
These new grant recipients join 31 additional students selected in previous years. All totaled the College Fund expects to pay out up to $73,200 in student grants this fiscal year.
The College Fund is committed to addressing issues of racial and gender equity. Of the 30 students approved for the 2022-23 school year, 15 are students of color of which 10 are Black and 5 are Hispanic, 21 identify as women, 8 as men and one as transgender male.
For more information see our website, https://www.collegefundpinellas.org