LYNN — Centerboard has announced a new Empowerment Scholarship to help college students in the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
The Empowerment Scholarship is open to students who are at least 18 years of age, are attending a two- or four-year degree program at an in-person or online college or university, and are in need of financial assistance.
The scholarship is not dependent on immigration status.
“At Centerboard, our mission is to empower our communities by investing in people and places,” said Chief Executive Officer Mark DeJoie. “This new scholarship will invest in our local students and their futures, which is something we are so proud and excited to do.”
Centerboard Mentor Coordinator Dany Acosta created the scholarship, saying that every driven student who takes on the challenges of higher education, despite their immigration status, should not be hindered by inequitable financial assistance or debt.
“As a social worker and a DACA recipient, I am committed to creating opportunities for students who are ineligible for government aid, most scholarships and grants due to their immigration status,” said Acosta.
Applications are due Sunday, May 1 by 11:59 p.m. and awards will be announced in July.
Centerboard plans to give out three scholarships of $500 each.
“We hope each year we can continue awarding more students with more money,” a statement from Centerboard reads.
The application can be found online at centerboard.org/empowerment-scholarship.
Centerboard is a community-based organization that supports families and young people through housing, access to employment, education and financial empowerment by working with local residents, businesses, and elected officials to increase economic opportunity in the community.
Centerboard also helps to spearhead public-art projects and run the nonprofit gallery Visionspace, serving more than 4,000 people each year.
