40 California Students Awarded 2014 Horatio Alger/Cortopassi Family Foundation Vocational Scholarships

In partnership with the Cortopassi Family Foundation, Horatio Alger Association launches an innovative new scholarship program targeting students focused on vocational careers

News provided by

Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

Jan 15, 2015, 02:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the 40 recipients of the 2014 Horatio Alger/Cortopassi Vocational Scholarships. The $10,000 scholarship is funded by the Cortopassi Family Foundation and awarded to students selected by Horatio Alger Association. The selection criteria is based on applicants overcoming personal adversity, demonstrating financial need, and enrolling in a two-year Vocational Certificate program at a qualifying community college. The innovative scholarships enable recipients to overcome financial barriers to vocational certification.

Dino Cortopassi, President of Cortopassi Family Foundation and 2005 Horatio Alger awardee, said: "We are pleased to partner with Horatio Alger Association in providing financial support to young men and women focused on vocational career opportunities. Each awardee has demonstrated the grit to overcome personal challenges and our Vocational Scholarship enables them to quickly gain employable skills in their chosen vocation."

Qualifying applicants must have graduated high school, currently reside in, or have graduated high school in, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, or Madera counties, and enroll as a full-time student in a two-year vocational certificate program at qualifying community colleges. To be considered for selection, applicants must demonstrate overcoming personal adversity and financial need. They must be under the age of 35.

"In recognition of their resilience and their unwavering desire to pursue higher education, Horatio Alger Association is proud to support these 40 outstanding students on their journey to success," said David Sokol, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. "We are grateful for the generosity of Dino Cortopassi and the Cortopassi Family Foundation, and we thank them for their support in helping us ensure the American Dream for generations to come."

Scholarship recipients in good standing towards vocational certification will receive $2,500 per semester for up to four consecutive semesters ($10,000 max). Qualifying schools include:

Butte College – Oroville, CA
Yuba College – Marysville, CA
Woodland College – Woodland, CA
Folsom Lake College – Folsom, CA
American River College – Sacramento, CA
Sacramento City College – Sacramento, CA
Cosumnes River College – Sacramento, CA
*San Joaquin Delta College – Stockton, CA
*Modesto Junior College – Modesto, CA
*Merced College – Merced, CA
Fresno City College – Fresno, CA
*Reedley College – Reedley, CA
West Hills College Coalinga – Coalinga, CA
*West Hills College Lemoore – Lemoore, CA
College of the Sequoias – Visalia, CA
Porterville College – Porterville, CA
Bakersfield College – Bakersfield, CA

*Denotes schools with 2014 scholarship recipients

For more information about Horatio Alger Association or to learn more about the Horatio Alger/Cortopassi Family Foundation Vocational Scholarships, please visit the Horatio Alger Association website.

A full list of the 2014 Cortopassi Scholarship Recipients can be found here.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.http://www.horatioalger.org/

CONTACT:

Meg Kane
484-385-2938 (office)
[email protected]

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.