By Ryan Smith
Equitable has announced the recipients of its 2024 Equitable Excellence Scholarship.
The annual program recognizes high-achieving, under-resourced graduating high school seniors who would benefit from pursuing a college degree. The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is the flagship initiative of the Equitable Foundation, the company’s charitable-giving arm.
The scholarship program provides not only financial assistance but also year-round workshops. These workshops cover a range of topics, including budgeting, mental health, personal branding, college essay and resume writing, and career readiness, such as office etiquette. Since its inception, Equitable has awarded $30 million in scholarships to over 7,300 students.
“Access to higher education can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in underserved communities,” said Nick Lane, president of Equitable. “We congratulate our 2024 Equitable Excellence Scholarship recipients and look forward to supporting them along their academic journey as they work hard, dream big and prepare for success after graduation.”
Half of the scholarship recipients will receive $5,000 renewable scholarships for all four years of their undergraduate study. The other half will receive one-time $2,500 scholarships to help cover immediate higher education costs, such as tuition, books, or fees.
The scholarship program aims to reach students in need, with 63% of the 2024 recipients being first-generation college students, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. All scholarship recipients demonstrate financial need.
“We believe that uplifting students and helping them achieve economic and social mobility must go well beyond financial support,” said Jarian Kerekes, head of social impact and community engagement at Equitable. “Our goal is to empower students and their families to overcome barriers that have prevented them from pursuing a higher education. Our community partners are a critical part of our approach. These local organizations have established and trusted relationships with the communities we aspire to reach and support.”
In addition to financial support, Equitable provides ancillary assistance to help more students access post-secondary education, including:
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