ACC Foundation provides students financial assistance

Generous donations converted academic dreams into reality as the ACC Foundation awarded over half a million dollars in scholarships to more than 300 students during the 2011-2012 academic year.

ACC Foundation Executive Director, Stephanie Dempsy, said that donors have been more generous than ever despite tough economic times, due in part to community appreciation of ACC's mission, which includes producing trained professionals for the workforce.

According to Dempsy, the foundation has increased annual disbursements from approximately $200,000 to over $500,000 in the past five years. Dempsy encouraged students to apply and said that the foundation's goal is to increase awards over time.

"There are several scholarships available to students through the foundation," Dempsy said. "Ninety-eight to 99 percent are based on financial need and others are program based. Some even include mentor support."

Program based scholarships include those awarded to students in the applied sciences, arts, business studies, and health and sciences departments, to name a few. Population based scholarships are awarded to members of specific populations such as single parents, honor students and veterans. Dempsy said that the application process is simple and streamlined. "One online application will fulfill the requirements for 90 percent of the scholarships," she said.

The computer system saves information during the process, Dempsy said, allowing students to finish later if needed, a feature which can be especially helpful during the essay. According to Dempsy,"The 300-word essay can really make a difference, especially if there are extenuating circumstances." Welding technology student

Salvador Abundiz said that he completed his application and essay at the urging of his girlfriend. "I didn't think I'd get it," he said. "I was so surprised."

A recipient of the $2,500 Grainger Technical Scholarship, Abundiz said that he was able to buy new tools for use in his welding classes. "The tools I had weren't the best," said Abundiz. "This semester I went out and got good tools."

Sara Marantz, also a scholarship recipient, has an 11-month-old daughter and works in addition to majoring in nursing at ACC. Marantz said that the Bowman Scholarship has been a tremendous help to her this semester and was well worth the effort. "Some people fear writing the essay," Marantz said. "But if it's true and comes from the heart it can be powerful."

The application deadline for the 2012-2013 academic year is May 1, 2012. Late applications are accepted but priority is given to those received on time. To view a list scholarships and their requirements or to apply visit www.austincc.edu/ foundation/scholarships.