ECMC Awards $510,000 in College Scholarships to 85 Students in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is proud to recognize 85 high school graduates from the class of 2018 who completed the ECMC Scholars Program. The students attended one of nine high schools in Virginia and earned up to $6,000 each in scholarships.

For the past two years, these students have participated in the rigorous two-year mentoring program designed to help them build social and study skills. Unlike a traditional academic scholarship, these students were selected to participate in the program based on their potential...not solely on their academic merit or test scores. Working in partnership with their school and the ECMC Scholars team, they've spent their junior and senior years actively preparing for college.

"ECMC created the Scholars Program to provide a pathway to postsecondary education for students who are motivated to continue their education beyond high school," said Paula Craw, ECMC vice president of student success and outreach. "By providing them with wraparound services in high school and support throughout college, we work to prepare students to reach their goals and achieve their dreams."

The scholarship funds can be used for enrollment in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college, university or career and technical education center. Students who earned the scholarships are planning to attend a variety of colleges in the fall, including George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia's College at Wise, Longwood University and Piedmont Virginia Community College.

"These students have shown great potential and drive throughout the program," said Sabrina Berg, ECMC Scholars Program manager. "I am proud of the progress they have made and am looking forward to supporting them throughout their educational journey."

Since 2005, ECMC has awarded $8 million to 1,336 ECMC Scholars students in Virginia alone. Over the past 13 years, ECMC has awarded $16.3 million in scholarships to 2,720 students in Virginia, Oregon and Connecticut. ECMC has committed to supporting an additional 440 students through the class of 2020 with the potential to award up to $2.64 million.

About ECMC
Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed. ECMC works to lower student loan default rates; sponsors college access and success initiatives, and financial literacy programs; and provides resources to support student loan borrowers to successfully repay their loans. Visit www.ecmc.org for more information.

SOURCE ECMC