7/24/2020
Two hundred twenty-seven (227) students from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) and its affiliate foundation service area have been awarded scholarships this year.
“Across all nine counties served by the Foundation, our students have received $463,254 in scholarships in 2020,” said CFNEM Program Director Laurie Nugent. “Most of these awards are for the 2020-2021 academic year, but several are multi-year awards.”
Students receiving scholarships are from across the Community Foundation’s nine-county service area, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Presque Isle Counties. This service area includes CFNEM and three affiliate foundations: Iosco County Community Foundation, North Central Michigan Community Foundation, and Straits Area Community Foundation.
“The Scholarship Review Committees have their work cut out for them every year, but this year was especially unique as we adapted to doing reviews a bit differently than past years,” said Nugent. “These students have so many demands placed on them in a very competitive atmosphere, and for many, the way their first semester of college looks will be much different than planned. The benefit of receiving a scholarship – no matter the size – can have a real impact on their future and helping them with their education.”
CFNEM Executive Director Patrick Heraghty says that behind each fund entrusted to the Community Foundation, including scholarship funds, is a legacy for the donor and a gift of promise to the next generation.
“Because people who care about our communities and those who live here chose to give back, the Foundation was able to award over 300 scholarships this year,” said Heraghty. “What an incredible gift it is for these students to be cared for in this way by generous people they may never even meet.”
One of the unique aspects of the CFNEM scholarship program is that many of its scholarships are not just determined by academic achievement. Each scholarship reflects the intentions of the donor, and in some cases, that means the emphasis is placed on student interests such as farming, a trade such as welding or plumbing, the arts, or healthcare. All area students planning to attend college are encouraged to apply for scholarships, regardless of whether they plan to attend a trade certification program, community college or a four-year university.
To see a full list of 2020 scholarship recipients, or to learn more about scholarship opportunities offered through CFNEM, visit cfnem.org. Scholarships for the 2021 season for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan will be open in early January.
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come.
See the full list of 2020 CFNEM scholarship recipients
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