C.F.V.I. Offering Scholarships To College-Bound Public School Students In St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (C.F.V.I.) on Friday announced via press release the acceptance of applications for The Next Generation Scholars Program (N.G.S.P.), a college access program for first-generation college-bound students enrolled in one of the public high schools on St. Thomas.

According to the release, N.G.S.P. provides accepted scholars with the coaching and support necessary to achieve their dreams of higher education.

Beginning as early as freshman year, eligible scholars are supported in high school and beyond. The program works with parents, mentors, donors, school personnel, and educational institutions to prepare scholars for higher education and success in life. The program is funded through a grant from the Lana Vento Charitable Trust to C.F.V.I.

The release adds that while in high school, scholars participate in what is called the Saturday College Preparation Academy, which focuses on preparation for the college admissions and application process, career awareness and exploration, and life skills training (résumé building, interviewing skills, and personal finance). The program also provides individual college counseling meetings with scholars and their families, and on-site school visits.

Once in college, scholars transition to the college success initiative, and are supported through individualized counseling, assistance with summer employment, preparation for graduate school, and/or a career in their chosen field. N.G.S.P. alumni then serve the greater community as mentors.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Be a current freshman, or sophomore attending a public high school.
• Be the first person in their immediate family to go to college.
• Applicants are also eligible if one or both parents earned their undergraduate degree part-time while raising a family or if the degree was earned from an online educational service provider.

Interested families can access the application here. For any technical assistance, contact C.F.V.I. at 340-774-6031. The deadline for submission is Monday, May 9, 2016.