The highlight of the year for the Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) is always the Scholarship Awards Reception. In 2016, for its 18th class of scholarship recipients, FEC had its largest turnout yet.
Fifty-five high school students from East Chicago were awarded scholarships that amounted to over $700,000. Students received awards in amounts varying from $2,000 to $5,500. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years, so long as the students maintain good grades.
FEC scholarships are awarded to students with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher who live in the city of East Chicago. A common misconception about the program is that students must attend an East Chicago high school in order to receive the scholarship. This is not true. In 2016, students from East Chicago Central, Lighthouse College Preparatory Academy in Gary, Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Hammond Academy of Science and Technology, Morton High School in Hammond, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary and Whiting High School were all represented.
The FEC Scholarship Program allows East Chicago students to pursue their dreams of a college education, regardless of their family’s income. This not only encourages students to work hard in school but also helps to produce an educated class of professionals who sometimes come back to help their hometown after graduation. The program promotes a continuous cycle of success in East Chicago.
In addition to high school scholarship recipients, the ceremony honored 16 Non-Traditional Scholarship recipients. These are awarded to adults living in East Chicago who are returning to school after taking time off or pursuing an advanced degree. These scholarships were awarded in the amount of $2,000 each and are non-renewable.
After the program, students and families mingled at a small reception with refreshments and photo opportunities.
To learn more about 2016’s FEC scholarship recipients, visit www.FoundationsEC.org.
