Every year, St. Petersburg College (SPC) graduates students who were the first in their family to attend college. In fact, one in six students enrolled at SPC are the first in their family to earn college credit.
Many of those students would not be able to afford tuition without the help of the First Generation Matching Grant Scholarship, part of which is funded by the F. Kiernan Schoonmaker Scholarship Fund through Pinellas Community Foundation. The funds provided by the scholarship support students financially, giving them the freedom and confidence to embrace higher education and work toward their career goals.
Recipients of the First Generation Matching Grant Scholarship come from all walks of life, and all of them have unique and inspiring stories. No matter where they came from or what their particular circumstances are, every student should have a chance at earning a college degree.
The Benefits of Establishing a Scholarship Fund.
Establishing a scholarship through the Pinellas Community Foundation is a wonderful way to leave a legacy that will continue to serve the Pinellas County community for years to come. Scholarship funds make pursuing higher education possible for many students who might otherwise never attend college or university.
Your scholarship fund could support students in Pinellas County and attract greater numbers of deserving students to schools and universities here. Giving lower-income students access to higher education ensures that every potential student has a chance to learn new skills and earn new credentials.
Beyond helping the community, establishing a scholarship fund affords immediate tax benefits. You can also choose to make a planned gift, or deferred gift, if you wish to establish a scholarship fund without impacting your current assets or income.
If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund, please contact us to discuss your options. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!