Deserving middle- and high-school students from St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties earned a valuable incentive for future success as 48 students have been named the 2020 recipients of four-year tuition Take Stock in Children Scholarships. In addition to recognizing new recipients, the Indian River State College (IRSC) Foundation is recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of 48 high school graduates and 29 IRSC graduates.
Since 1997 more than 1,139 Take Stock in Children Scholarships have been awarded to students through the IRSC Take Stock in Children program, with the provision that they meet the positive challenges of the program and graduate from high school.
Designed to motivate and assist students who show academic promise and who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college, the program matches scholarship recipients with adult volunteer mentors from the community who provide guidance and encouragement. All selected scholarship recipients sign a contract, agree to maintain good grades, stay out of trouble, stay away from drugs and alcohol, and graduate from high school.
Those meeting that challenge receive a Florida Prepaid four-year state college tuition plan scholarship allowing them to attend IRSC to achieve their associate degree, followed by two years at IRSC or another State of Florida public college to earn their Bachelor’s degree.
The Take Stock in Children Scholarship program is made possible through many program partners including the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative, the Indian River State College Foundation, the Indian River County School District, the Martin County School District, the Okeechobee County School District, the St. Lucie County School District, and Take Stock in Children, Inc.
Take Stock in Children, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, transforming Florida one student at a time. With programs serving every county throughout Florida, their mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a post-secondary education.
The organization offers college scholarships to students, provides caring volunteer mentors, and instills hope for a better life. For more information regarding Take Stock in Children at IRSC, visit www.irscfoundation.org or contact Betty Saffioti, Program Director at bsaffiot@irsc.edu or by phone at 772-462-7252.
