Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Open for Renewal Scholarships Until July 15, Donations Needed

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria has set its deadline for renewal scholarships for July 15, and the nonprofit currently needs donations after its annual gala was canceled due to COVID-19.

“The economic impacts our families are going to continue to be felt in the coming days, weeks and months, but we feel like it’s really important to still be there for the kids,” Beth Lovain, executive director of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, told ALXnow. “They have hopes and dreams, and the proper education will make a difference in not only their futures, but for the futures of their families.”

Lovain anticipates awarding more than $500,000 in renewal scholarships, which are for students who previously received awards through the fund, and are now in college and need additional assistance.

“We need to make sure that we’re there for them so they can count on the money so that they can graduate in four years,” she said.

The fund awarded 181 scholarships for the class of 2020 totaling $507,000. In all, the fund has awarded $16 million in college scholarships to more than 4,750 students since 1986, and the annual gala raises upward of $400,000 every year. As the numbers of students at T.C. increase every year, the number of scholarships has also increased — especially since two-thirds of the students in Alexandria’s public high school are living at or below the poverty level.

Recipients made the following video talking about what it meant for them to get a scholarship.

Photo via ACPS/Facebook