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One scholarship at a time for nearly a decade, the Indianapolis Urban League has offered opportunities for high school seniors of color to achieve higher education.
Tony Mason, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Urban League, said Friday, “So right now, we actually have 52 scholarship recipients currently attending college and universities across the country. Last year, we awarded $52,000 in scholarships.”
High school students can apply by April 2 for three scholarships: The Project Ready Program, Indianapolis Urban League Education Matters, and the Burke, Dabner, Rodman Family Scholarship Programs.
“Each grant, scholarship becomes important in this process because you may have a student that has to pay $20,000 to $30,000 to attend college. If you’re talking about a full-time rate, then all of these dollar add up,” Mason said.
He says its important for students of color to take advantage of the scholarship applications, as there’s a student-loan debt crisis. “Black students are most likely to borrow federal loans almost at like 82% to 83%, and then four years after graduating from college, African American student borrowers owe $25,000 more than white or Caucasian borrower for their bachelors degree.”
As some diversity, equity and inclusion programs on U.S. college campuses face pushback, Mason wants to be clear that students have resources to succeed. “I think it’s important for the community to know that regardless of what is happening at the federal or even state level, organization like ours or others in this community are going to continue to look out for all students, but especially African American students.”
This story was produced by WISH-TV reporter Melea VanOstrand.
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