Sallie Mae Awards Nearly $250,000 in Scholarships to Help High School Seniors Access Higher Education

The Sallie Mae Fund, in Partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Provides 28 Scholarships to Deserving Students Through the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program

Application Window for 2022 Scholarships Now Open; Apply Today

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sallie Mae Fund, the charitable arm of Sallie Mae®, in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, today announced the latest recipients of the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors. Twenty-eight deserving students across the country have collectively been awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships to make their dreams of higher education a reality.

Now in its sixth year, The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors focuses on empowering students from minority and historically underserved communities with the resources they need to access higher education. This year’s winners were selected out of more than 1,800 applications. The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors is part of a $3 million commitment made by The Sallie Mae Fund to help students from all backgrounds access and complete college.

The application window for the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors is now open for current high school seniors who plan to enroll in a two- or four-year degree, professional certificate, or vocational training program. The Sallie Mae Fund will award scholarships up to $10,000 to seniors who excel inside and outside of the classroom and demonstrate financial need. Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 28, at salliemae.com/landing/bridging-the-dream.

“First-generation, low-income, and minority students face far too many obstacles in reaching and completing college, and without action, those inequities will persist,” said Nicolas Jafarieh, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “Through scholarship programs like The Sallie Mae Fund’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship, and partnerships with mission-aligned organizations like Thurgood Marshall College Fund, we do our part to begin to address these longstanding issues. This year’s recipients are a remarkable group of inspiring young adults who are well on their way to achieving great things — we can’t wait to see all that they accomplish.”

“Together, The Sallie Mae Fund and Thurgood Marshall College Fund share an enduring vision to make a difference to help students thrive in college, in their careers, and in their communities,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “These scholarships will help more students, particularly those from underserved and marginalized communities, create a better world through higher education.”

This year’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors recipients and their selected hometowns and colleges are:

Aran Glynn, Bronx, N.Y.; Babson College Angelica Gonzalez, Long Beach, Calif.; Carnegie Mellon University Anthony Montes de Oca, Brick, N.J.; University of Pennsylvania Azlynne Myler, West Valley City, Utah; Southern Utah University Chloe A Jackson, Inglewood, Calif.; Clark Atlanta University Cindy Wang, Virginia Beach, Va.; Virginia Commonwealth University Clementina Aboagye, Bronx, N.Y.; Colgate University Cole Kobayashi-Dickson, Boca Raton, Fla.; Elon University Danilo Wrightsell, Chicago; Howard University ESaeLynn Cameron, Mansfield, Ohio; Alabama State University Feisal Maawiy, Wylie, Texas; University of Houston Fina Osei-Owusu, Alexandria, Va.; Spelman College George Gatling III, Greensboro, N.C., Morehouse College Godfrey Abel, Fredericksburg, Va.; Christopher Newport University

Harmony Hicks, Indianapolis; Spelman College Isaiah Cox, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Florida A&M University Jonathan Contreras, Spring, Texas; Texas State University Julian Thomas, Springdale, Md.; University of Maryland Eastern Shore Kady Tosh, Batesville, Ark.; Ouachita Baptist University Keyon Williamson, Winter Garden, Fla.; Southeastern University Kharis Taylor, Gramercy, La.; Southern University and A&M College Mikayla Shaw, Bald Knob, Ark.; University of Central Arkansas Moses Bazzi, Miami; University of Colorado Boulder Sarah James, Taylorsville, Utah; University of Southern California Symone Moore, Las Vegas; University of Southern California Teralyn Willis, Houston; Prairie View A&M University Traleya Eley, Franklin, Va.; Old Dominion University Traveon Colbert, Dermott, Ark.; University of Arkansas Fayetteville

“Receiving such an incredible recognition of my work has given me the opportunity to pursue a college education with lessened financial stress and introduced me to a support system of like-minded students who are similarly interested in inciting positive change in their communities,” said scholarship recipient Aran Glynn. “I look forward to my college experience knowing that I have this financial support, and I plan on making the most of this incredible opportunity.”

“Since I was a young girl, my dream was to attend Spelman college and become a black woman that inspired younger black girls. My biggest fear was not being able to afford to go to Spelman,” said scholarship recipient Fina Osei-Owusu. “This scholarship has truly helped take financial burdens off my family, and I believe I will reach my fullest potential by attending the college of my dreams.”

In addition to the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors, the Completing the Dream Scholarship is currently available for minority students and those from underserved communities who are on track to graduate, but are at-risk of not completing due to financial emergencies or unpaid school bills. Students can apply now through Aug. 31, at salliemae.com/landing/completing-the-dream.

For more information about Sallie Mae’s scholarship programs, visit SallieMae.com.

Sallie Mae (Nasdaq: SLM) believes education and life-long learning, in all forms, help people achieve great things. As the leader in private student lending, we provide financing and know-how to support access to college and offer products and resources to help customers make new goals and experiences, beyond college, happen. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Category: Community and Philanthropy