March 9, 2023 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Filling out one form can make a life-changing difference to Grand Rapids Community College students.
The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation awarded $1.3 million in scholarships to 1,642 students during the 2021-2022 fiscal year – all available by completing just one application!
“A scholarship can lift so much anxiety from a student’s shoulders,” said Kristine Babcock, the foundation’s interim executive director. “Using one application makes the process easier – and less stressful – for students, ensuring that we can connect as many of them as possible with the funds they need to pursue their goals.”
The application can be found at grcc.edu/scholarships, and the priority deadline is March 15.
Receiving the Clearing Sky Christensen/WN+J Business Scholarship helped Tiara Garcia reach her long-held goal of a college degree. She struggled, and eventually dropped out, in her first attempt at higher education in 2009.
“It wasn’t until last year I realized I had student loan debt but no degree to show for it,” she said. “So, I thought about my goals in life and where I was and decided to go back to school.”
It was a different experience for her in her second attempt: She passed all her classes and was on the Dean’s List every semester.
“Receiving the scholarship means I have succeeded and the hard work has really paid off,” said Garcia, who plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in human resources. “A lot of people believe that there isn’t help out there, but this shows that there is.”