Many SFUSD high school students eagerly hoping to pursue higher education must often face a harsh reality: it’s expensive. The lack of financial resources, particularly for students from urban communities, stands as barrier between their ambition and access to the educational opportunities available upon graduation. The San Francisco School Alliance, partnered with the Maisin Foundation, aims to assuage these setbacks with their Maisin Scholar Award – a scholarship program designed to support students in the SFUSD who struggle with financial need and an interest in continuing their education.
“The whole reason we put this together is for the students – students who clearly show resiliency and their commitment to education, who perhaps struggled in their early years, yet have overcome challenges and are wanting to pursue post-secondary education,” said Program Director, Sonya Brunswick.
“College is no joke. Nationally, across the board, community college students in particular have a high failure rate. The Maisin Scholar Award, an initiative of the San Francisco School Alliance, is an integral part of SFSA’s work with the school district in providing support on a number of levels to help the students transition from high school to college.”
Launched in 2000, established by a grant from the Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation’s Endowment Fund, the Award not only intends to create equal opportunities for students who lack the resources to academically excel in school but also provides scholars with additional support, such as college and career counseling and a network of adult mentors.
The Maisin Scholars program began with 50 scholarships of $4,000 each, for the Class of 2001. Since then, the program has grown considerably, now offering 75 scholarships of up to $16,000 to students graduating from any San Francisco Unified School District high school. Awarded over the course of four years, these scholarships assist students who have financial need and the ambition to continue their education.
The Maisin Scholar Award application is currently accessible on the Maisin Scholar Award website and the deadline to apply is March 1, 2012. To learn more about specific eligibility requirements, or to schedule a presentation at your organization or school, please contact Program Director Sonya Brunswick at (415) 857-9650 or info@MaisinScholars.org.
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