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Corporations
Establish College Scholarship Funds for WTC Students
By
Jessica Shi
As
the horror and disbelief gradually subsides for those of us who
were not directly affected by the tragedy of September 11th, we
begin to find ways to cope and deal with the emotional trauma.
What about the spouses and the children of those who lost their
lives during this surreal calamity? Government agencies are estimating
that at least 10 to 12 thousand families have lost parents and
spouses because of this tragedy.
Citigroup and the Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of America
(CSFA) are among several other organizations providing scholarships
for the families of the victims. With $15 million provided by
Citigroup and more contributions coming from its employees and
outside sources, Citigroup is hoping to make the fund available
by the spring of 2002. “Although the coordinators of the scholarship
fund are still working on collecting more money and determining
each family’s grant amount, Citigroup is hoping to be sending
out information packages in the coming months to all the families
that have been affected,” said Citigroup’s Press Representative
Marybeth Corazzini.
The eligible recipients of the scholarship money include all offspring,
both in and outside of the US, whose family members were killed
or permanently disabled by the attacks. The scholarships will
go toward all children who are planning to, or are currently enrolled
in any accredited two- or four-year colleges and or universities
based on financial need. The education assistance will be renewable
for up to three years of undergraduate study, depending on the
total funds available.
Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) has partnered
with the Lumina Foundation for Education to create the ‘Families
of Freedom Scholarship Fund’.
“United we stand, today, tomorrow, and into the future as we remember
the victims of the attack on America. The ‘Families of Freedom
Scholarship Fund’ honors their memories by providing educational
assistance for their children and spouses,” said CSFA President
William C. Nelsen.
Lumina
Foundation for Education pledged $3 million, $2 million directly
to the fund and $1 million in matching dollar for dollar contributions
from individuals. In addition, many companies and individuals
have committed to help increase funding, including NEC Foundation
of America, which has pledged $300,000. Brocade Communications
Systems and ONI Systems of Silicon Valley have contributed $1
million each in stocks. The two companies are also spearheading
the ‘Technology Partners for Families of Freedom’ initiative in
which they are trying to raise $50 million by getting other technology
companies involved.
Former President Bill Clinton has teamed up with former Senate
Majority Leader Bob Dole to chair a scholarship fund campaign
to help CSFA build the ‘Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.’
“The tragedy of September 11th left many young people without
parents. Young people who with a helping hand and the chance for
a higher education will go on to great things.” said Clinton in
one of his statements.
Since its inception about two weeks ago, the ‘Families of Freedom
Scholarship Fund’ has received responses from hundreds of organizations
including Harvard University and TMP Worldwide. CSFA is hopeful
that the scholarships will be available as early as January 2002.
The foundation aims to raise over $125 million.
For
more information about these scholarship funds or make donations,
visit the organizations’ websites at http://relieffund.citigroup.com,
www.familiesofffreedom.org, and www.nec.co.jp/english/today/newrel/0109/2102.html.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2001.
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