The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation Awards Record Number of Scholarships for 2014/15 Academic Year
Marlton, NJ (PRWEB) July 23, 2014 -- A brother and sister whose parents fled the Afghan civil war in 1992, a disabled Vietnam Veteran, and an honor student athlete whose career ambition is to be a doctor in the U.S. Army are among 184 residents who have been awarded scholarships from The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation. The foundation, a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, presents college scholarships each year to aspiring students who live in the affordable and military housing communities owned or managed by companies of The Michaels Organization.
Created by The Michaels Organization’s founder and CEO, Michael Levitt, The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation has been helping many high achieving but often economically disadvantaged students achieve their dreams of higher education for more than two decades. In 2014, the program reached a milestone—awarding for the first time ever more than $500,000 in grants. The previous record of $450,000 was reached in 2013. The grants can be used by recipients to pay tuition costs at any accredited college, university, or vocational training program in the country, and students can reapply for grants each year of their education.
“We are thrilled to be able to give back to the communities where we work in this very tangible way,” said John J. O’Donnell, president of The Michaels Organization. “As an organization, we have spent 40 years creating housing opportunities, but with this scholarship program, Mike and Pat Levitt have also created a legacy of empowering educational opportunity,” O’Donnell said.
Michael and Pat Levitt match two-for-one every private donation raised through the Michaels’ business network. Since it was founded in 1991, The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation has given away in excess of $3.5 million in scholarships, benefitting more than 1,800 students.
Scholarships are awarded to residents across Michaels’ nationwide portfolio, which consists of 360 properties across 34 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of the seven military bases where Michaels owns or manages the family housing are also eligible to apply. This year, 48 residents of Michaels Military Housing received scholarships.
To qualify, an applicant must be a high school graduate or have earned a GED with a grade point average of 2.5; college students must maintain a grade point average of 2.3. All applications are reviewed by independent educational consultant, Bruce Johnson, Ed.D, who has been involved with the program since its inception. Dr. Johnson also assists recipients by providing them with information about other scholarship and financial aid programs, for which they may be eligible.
The program has helped students from across the country, including many non-traditional and older students, with their educational pursuits, including graduate school. The scholarships have made it possible for them to earn degrees, advance their careers, and improve the economic circumstances for themselves and their families.
Ceremonies are being planned at individual properties and military bases in celebration of the scholarship awards over the next several weeks.
About The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation:
The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation is a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization that administers educational scholarship programs open to residents of all affordable and military housing communities owned or managed by companies of The Michaels Organization. Now in its 24th year, The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation was the first of its kind in the affordable housing industry when it was established by Michael and Patricia Levitt in 1991.
About The Michaels Organization:
The Michaels Organization is a family of integrated but independent companies dedicated to excellence in affordable, mixed-finance, military and student housing. Serving more than 100,000 residents in 360 communities across 34 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and with a development portfolio valued in excess of $ 3.5 billion, The Michaels Organization is a national leader in the residential real estate industry, with full service capabilities in development, property and asset management, construction, mortgage finance, and tax credit syndication.
Laura Zaner, The Michaels Organization, http://www.TheMichaelsOrg.com, +1 (856) 988-5983, [email protected]
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