Gaston College Foundation Scholarships Offers Financial Support to Students
As students finalize their college plans for the next academic year, many face the daunting reality of how to pay for college. Scholarships provide several benefits to students, including reducing the financial burden of the rising costs of college education, allowing for more time and energy for students to focus on studies rather than work, and providing an ego boost and a pat on the back to those that have worked hard. Scholarships are an essential piece in providing financial resources for students to complete their education. Therefore, all prospective and current Gaston College students are eligible and encouraged to apply for a scholarship through the Gaston College Foundation.
The Foundation stewards over 80 named annual and endowed scholarship funds for students. Because of the generosity of donors who are committed to investing in bright futures, the Foundation has provided over $1,000,000 in scholarship assistance over the past five years for Gaston College students to achieve their dreams.
The Gaston Lifestyles Magazine Scholarship
The Gaston Lifestyles Magazine Scholarship is one of the newest scholarships available through the Gaston College Foundation. Established on January 16, 2020, by Mr. and Mrs. Mo Ally, this annual scholarship will provide financial assistance to a promising student who is pursuing higher education in small business administration. Mr. Ally founded the Gaston Lifestyles Magazine in 2012 with the goal of uplifting the community and showcasing its vast cultural richness by covering people, arts, entertainment, travel, social, and fashion. His wife, Deborah, is the publisher of the magazine.
“Mo and I are firm believers that attending a community college is a good next step after high school,” said Deborah Ally. “In addition to featuring Gaston College in Gaston Lifestyles Magazine we wanted to give financial support to our belief and decided the best way to do this was by establishing a Gaston College scholarship.”
The Gaston Lifestyles Magazine Scholarship is in the amount of $500, payable in $250 increments to the recipient’s Gaston College student account after registration each semester.
The Bet Pearson Nursing Scholarship
On January 13, 2020, the Foundation received an endowed gift of $150,000 from Mr. Plato Pearson, Jr. in memory of Bet Pearson, his wife of 71 years. Mrs. Pearson, who passed away on December 7, 2019, lived a life of service to her family and her community, and she was involved in numerous religious and civic organizations in Gastonia. The endowment funds the Bet Pearson Nursing Scholarship, which will assist those currently working in healthcare and interested in advancing their careers in nursing. Beginning with the fall 2020 semester, at least two scholarships of a maximum of $3,000 each, payable over two semesters, will be awarded annually.
The Cpl. Katelyn Self Scholarship Fund
The mother and sister of Corporal Katelyn Self established a scholarship in her memory in December 2019. Corporal Self, a graduate of Gaston College, was a deputy with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office when she was tragically killed in May 2018. The Cpl. Katelyn Self Scholarship Fund honors her as a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and provides financial support for students pursuing a career in law enforcement. One $500 scholarship will be awarded annually, payable in $250 increments to the recipient’s Gaston College student account.
“These new scholarships give us even more capacity to help Gaston College students reach their educational goals,” said Luke Upchurch, Interim Executive Director of the Gaston College Foundation. “We are grateful to those whose generosity is empowering others to achieve their dreams.”
Scholarship Awards
For a list of the endowed and annual scholarships to Gaston College, visit https://gaston.academicworks.com/
The Gaston College Foundation awards scholarships on a rolling application basis, with the majority of scholarship awards being made during the summer months prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Applications submitted before April 30 of each year will receive priority review.
Gaston College students may apply through Academic Works. A Gaston College email account is required to apply through the system and can be obtained after applying for admissions.
For more information about applying for scholarships offered by the Gaston College Foundation, visit https://gaston.academicworks.com/, or call the College’s financial aid staff at 704-922-6227.
Mo and Deborah Ally establish an annual scholarship at Gaston College that will provide financial assistance to a promising student who is pursuing higher education in small business administration.
About the Gaston College Foundation
The Gaston College Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation chartered in 1968. Led by a 15-member volunteer board of directors appointed by the Gaston College Board of Trustees, its role is to encourage and secure financial support to further the work of Gaston College. The foundation receives and administers both restricted and unrestricted contributions in support of Gaston College’s priorities, including student scholarship aid, capital projects, and academic programming. To learn more about the Gaston College Foundation, visit its website at www.gastoncollegefoundation.org.
Mo and Deborah Ally establish an annual scholarship at Gaston College that will provide financial assistance to a promising student who is pursuing higher education in small business administration.
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