Advancement
Scholarships Help Students Stay Afloat in Choppy Waters
While the pandemic has created very choppy waters for many students, scholarship awards are helping hundreds stay afloat. "Even in normal circumstances our scholarship program is a critical lifeline," said Marianne McGhee, director of development. "This year, we were so fortunate to have our donors continue their giving to help as many students persist as possible. Kim Cain is our scholarship manager, and she and the Financial Aid team do a brilliant job working together and bridging students' financial gaps with scholarship dollars whenever possible."
The J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit and receives donations from individuals, local philanthropic foundations, community groups, and businesses. With annual gifts and income generated from endowments, the Scholarship Office assisted nearly 800 students with awards ranging from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 or more in a semester, depending on need and aid eligibility.
For students like Juliahna, receiving a scholarship is one important step on a life-changing pathway. "I'm one of the first in my family to actually graduate high school and continue to pursue my dreams through college. After Reynolds, I plan to transfer to VCU and possibly study Homeland Security. One of the biggest burdens I have faced in life is a lack of finances. I don't think I'd be here if it were not for getting a scholarship award."
"Reynolds employees are among the most generous and enthusiastic scholarship donors every year," added McGhee. "Look at the success of Stepping for Scholarships, which is a recent example, but there are so many more. Reynolds is a giving institution and part of a larger giving community. It makes a huge difference. We've seen students literally cry with relief when they're told they're getting an award. Scholarship donors are truly heroes and heroines to our students."