According to Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona Regional Philanthropic Advisor Tracey McConnell, the Arizona Community Foundation offers more than 150 scholarships to Verde Valley high school students pursuing their secondary education.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus Room M-137, students and parents will have an opportunity to learn about the funding options available to them through the Arizona Community Foundations of Sedona and Yavapai County.
A few, perhaps, will end up like Sedona-raised Northern Arizona University senior Jessica Reinhart, who is set to graduate debt-free this spring — thanks, in no small part, to scholarships awarded to her via the ACF.
“I first heard about the ACF through the scholarship information and resources at Mingus Union High School,” Reinhart said. “The guidance counselors there were very good about getting us information about upcoming scholarships and there was one particular scholarship that I applied for which redirected me to the ACF website and their general application.”
Though Reinhart applied with one specific scholarship in mind, ACF’s application process matched her up with many more. Each year thereafter, she renewed her application, resulting in substantial scholarship remuneration.
“I really liked the idea of one general application which then ‘auto-matches’ you to everything you’re eligible for,” Reinhart added. “One of the really daunting things about applying for scholarships is the sheer number that are available…. The streamlined system which ACF provides really appealed to me. Additionally, I loved how there were opportunities that felt catered to me.”
According to Reinhart, ACF offered scholarships to students residing in Yavapai County, as well as those engaged in the arts — perfect for Reinhart, an actress and a singer pursuing a theatre degree with a minor in music.
“As an artist, it is most likely going to be difficult enough to support myself financially without the added burden of student debt,” Reinhart said. “Tuition is a big cost of college, but we often forget how many more things there are to pay for in addition to the tuition. I have received over $10,000 from ACF alone, which has helped to cover those additional costs.
“Without those scholarships, finding the money to cover the rest of my costs would have been very challenging, if not impossible …. It is for that reason that I will be eternally indebted to organizations like ACF for getting me through college and supporting me in the pursuit of keeping art, theatre and music alive and well as part of our national culture.”
McConnell encouraged students and parents to attend the 2016 Cash for College Scholarship Awareness Night, as ACF offers scholarships to a variety of traditional and non-traditional college student.
The event is free and open to the public.
There is no need to register. For information, contact McConnell at (928) 399-7218 or tmcconnell@azfoundation.org.
