USA Funds awards $1.1 million in higher education grants

INDIANAPOLIS, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Funds^®, a nonprofit organization that helps American families benefit from postsecondary education, announces the award of more than $1.1 million in grants for the quarter ending March 31, 2012. USA Funds awarded 40 grants to organizations in 15 states and the District of Columbia.

"These grants represent organizations working together for a common goal –— postsecondary education success," said Robert C. Ballard, USA Funds senior vice president, Access and Outreach. "USA Funds partners with other organizations to enhance preparation for, access to and success in postsecondary education, especially for underserved, low-income middle and high school students; students of color; and first-generation postsecondary students."

During the quarter, USA Funds awarded the following grants of $30,000 or more:

• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (New York) — $200,000 to provide need-based scholarships to students attending public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

• United Negro College Fund (Fairfax, Va.) — $200,000 to provide need-based scholarships to promote higher education opportunities for African-American students.

• Indiana Latino Institute (Indianapolis) — $100,000 to support a program to help students make career choices and provide the framework for them to succeed in postsecondary education.

• Indiana Dollars for Scholars (Indianapolis) — $70,000 to support the 2012 Hoosier Heroes recognition program, which provides Indiana students with opportunities to identify Indiana citizens who have made significant contributions to society.

• Arizona Community Foundation (Phoenix) — $70,000 to support College Depot, which provides free full-service college planning through outreach, guidance, resources and referrals.

• Admission Possible (Milwaukee) — $60,000 to provide low-income students with guidance and the necessary basic tools to graduate from high school and enter college.

• Mary Rigg Neighborhood Community Center (Indianapolis) — $50,000 to strengthen the infrastructure and support programs of the Learning Communities Initiative at George Washington Community High School. The initiative seeks to enhance rates of high school graduation and college enrollment among predominantly low-income students.

• GEAR UP Mississippi (Jackson, Miss.) — $40,000 to support Mississippi's College Goal Sunday events, which help students and families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

• Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (Tampa) — $32,000 to support Florida's College Goal Sunday events, which help students and families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

• Interagency Community Coalition (Fort Washakie, Wyo.) — $30,000 to support Wyoming's College Goal Sunday events, which help students and families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

• Boys II Men, Inc. (Indianapolis) — $30,000 to support a community program for African-American male students to develop skills for success in high school and postsecondary education.

• Glow Foundation (San Francisco) — $30,000 to support postsecondary education access for low-income students through financial literacy and mentoring.

• Excelencia in Education (Washington, D.C.) — $30,000 to support an annual event to recognize programs and departments that show evidence of effectiveness in accelerating Latino student success in higher education.

For information about USA Funds grants to support college readiness, enrollment and success, visit www.usafunds.org/community/Pages/Grants.aspx.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that works to enhance postsecondary education preparedness, access and success by providing and supporting financial and other valued services. For more information about USA Funds, visit www.usafunds.org.

SOURCE USA Funds