Wednesday, October 31, 2012
C
I T
Y O
F A
T L
A N
T A
“I
Am College Material” Scholarship Fair Prepares Metro Atlanta Youth for
Undergraduate Studies
Program
Will Aid 500 Area High School Students During Georgia Apply to College Week
ATLANTA – Atlanta City Councilman Aaron Watson, Post 2 At-Large in partnership with the Atlanta Braves Foundation, presents the 3rd annual “I Am College Material” Scholarship Fair powered by The Scholarship Academy. The event will be held on November 13, 2012 at Turner Field’s 755 Club, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. With a focus on the numerous scholarship opportunities available to area high school juniors and seniors, the scholarship fair specifically targets first-generation college students, those coming from low-income households and those with “average” grades.
“With the pursuit of higher education becoming increasingly expensive, The Scholarship Academy provides students with effective training such as negotiating a financial aid package, mock interviews and drafting personal statements. Personal development activities coupled with developing a college funding strategy ensure these metro Atlanta students are fully-equipped to succeed in the collegiate environment and graduate debt-free,” says founder, Jessica Johnson.
Post 2 At-Large Councilman Aaron Watson notes, “The knowledge gained at the ‘I Am Scholarship Material’ fair encourages and energizes our high school students to push themselves towards greatness.”
“Each year the Atlanta Braves have awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to high schools seniors and we are committed to helping students gain access to additional resources to fund their education,” said Ericka Newsome, Executive Director of the Atlanta Braves Foundation. “Through this program, students will receive valuable information on the financial aid and scholarship application process.”
To date, The Scholarship Academy has impacted more than 10,000 students and averages a college debt reduction of $14,000. This year’s fair coincides with National Scholarship Month. Atlanta Public Schools students participating in the “I Am College Material” fair will be able to have their scholarship essay reviewed by current Gates Millennium Scholars.
Media
Contact:
Saba Long
Senior
Council Aide, Communications Liaison
Office of
Councilman Aaron Watson, Post 2 At-Large
O: (404)
330-6302
C: (404)
709-1052
Jessica
Johnson
Executive
Director of The Scholarship Academy
(770)
391-9500
The
Scholarship Academy (TSA) was created in January of 2006 by Jessica Johnson, a
recipient of nearly $200,000 in scholarships. Featured in the Black
Enterprise and the NAACP Crisis Magazine, TSA specializes in breaking
down the scholarship acquisition process into realistic terms for
low-income/first-generation students. Using a series of curriculum-based
activities, The Scholarship Academy assists local schools and youth-serving
organizations in preparing students (and their parents) for the financial aid
process. In the last two years, our students have received over $5 million in
scholarships, claiming titles such as Howard University’s first Marshall
Scholar, Gates Millennium Scholars, and the Children’s Defense Fund “Beat
the Odds” Award, to name a few.
For more
information about The Scholarship Academy, visit www.scholarshipacademy.org