With nearly a half-million dollars available to students each year, the Lake Michigan College Foundation scholarship program often brings together extremely diverse students with exceptional academic achievement levels to help them reach their dreams and prepare for a world of work that needs their talents every day. This year is no exception as five Lake Michigan College students have been awarded Academic Incentive Scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The $600 scholarships are granted annually to students with exceptional academic achievement and high participation in TRIO Student Support Services, a program serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students receive extra help with graduation and university transfer planning, academic advising, study skills, financial literacy and access to technology and textbooks. Participants also mentor other students and volunteer in their communities.
The Academic Incentive Scholarship is just one of 120 scholarships available through the Lake Michigan College Foundation, which facilitates donations from private and public donors throughout the community. More than $435,000 in LMC scholarship funds are available to students each year. A full list of scholarships and application forms can be found online at lakemichigancollege.edu/scholarships.
Nancy Johnson is LMC's TRIO SSS Project Director. She says, "This scholarship brings our students one step closer to achieving their dream of earning a college degree. It makes a big difference to the significant amount of students we serve who are overcoming the unique challenges that come along with being from a low income household, being the first in their family to go to college, or having a disability. They are an inspiration to all of us, and I can’t think of a better investment for our community’s future.”
This year’s scholarship recipients include:
- Solange Christmas – Berrien Springs, 2010 graduate of Harlingen High South, pre-physical therapy major
- Kacey Cole – Benton Harbor, 2005 graduate of Niles High School, political science major
- Eunice Hansen – Coloma, 2015 graduate of Grace Christian High School, medical laboratory science major
- Trevor Hasse – St. Joseph, 2012 graduate of St. Joseph High School, hospitality management major
- Sandra Rayas – South Haven, 2012 graduate of South Haven High School, dental assisting major.
For more information about LMC’s TRIO program, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/sss or contact Nancy Johnson at (269) 927-6848.
Pictured in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com are (L to R) – Eunice Hansen, Sandra Rayas, Trevor Hasse, Kacey Cole, and Solange Christmas
