Helios Education Foundation And Education Forward Arizona Launch College Engagement Scholarships
Helios Education Foundation, Education Forward Arizona and other community partners are implementing an initiative to re-engage students in their education and offer an incentive scholarship to eligible students.
In order to address the unprecedented drop in student postsecondary enrollment in Arizona, Helios Education Foundation, Education Forward Arizona, and other community partners are implementing an initiative to re-engage students in their education and offer an incentive scholarship to eligible students.
Colleges and universities in Arizona are experiencing significant declines in student enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among first generation, low-income, and underserved students.
Nationally, community college enrollment has fallen by 13.2% this year. In addition, Postsecondary enrollment for first-time freshmen (High School class of 2020) declined 6.8% nationwide. In Arizona, statewide community college enrollment is down more than 16%.
“In order to continue on track to reach our statewide Achieve60AZ goal for postsecondary attainment, we must address this drop in enrollment and re-engage students on the path to pursuing a college degree,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation. “That is why Helios Education Foundation began working with our partners to identify a way to help the Class of 2020 – the most affected by the impact of COVID-19 – to engage in postsecondary education.”
In order to address these issues and ensure more students are entering college, Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona – along with other community partners – are implementing the Helios Adelante Scholars Initiative which provides a $1,000 incentive scholarship to 2020 graduates to encourage them to enter college. The $1 million initiative will help ensure more students in Arizona are able to pursue a postsecondary degree.
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for the scholarship, a student needs to be entering college for the first time, be a graduate from an Arizona high school from the class of 2020, enroll in an accredited college or university at least half-time, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or indicate that they are non-FAFSA eligible, and complete a scholarship application.
- Eligible students will be awarded a one-time, non-renewable award of $1,000. The funds may be used for tuition, books, or room and board at any accredited higher education institution.
- In addition to receiving the $1,000 incentive scholarship, students may be eligible for additional institutional aid. Education Forward Arizona will help identify those opportunities and help students pursue that aid.