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Mays family partners with UNCF to provide scholarships

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Although statistics show that an increasing number of Black and Hispanic students are enrolling in college, there remains a gap in graduation rates between them and their white counterparts. Data released last spring by The Education Trust revealed that of the four-year universities analyzed, more than half (53 percent) saw the graduation discrepancy between Black students and white students either stay the same or grow over a 10-year span (2003-2013). For instance, in 2013, the number of Black students who completed their degree was 40.3 percent compared to 60.7 percent for white students.

Experts believe much of the chasm can be attributed to a lack of targeted outreach and support from faculty and staff, as well as issues with finances. These issues are especially prominent among first-generation college attendees.

Many universities and community organizations are seeking to lessen this impact by employing more resources designed to directly impact students who are the most in need.Ā 

The Mays family, in keeping with a long-standing tradition of philanthropic endeavors ā€” as evidenced by the work of the late William G. Mays and his wife, Dr. Rose Mays ā€” has partnered with the United Negro College Fund to provide scholarships to students.

ā€œWe decided that as a family, it was important to continue our legacy in the community and continue to give back to future generations,ā€ said Collin Mays, the familyā€™s spokesperson.

Yearly, the UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarships, internships and fellowships, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum- and faculty-development programs. Though the bulk of their work is with historically Black colleges and universities, the UNCF currently supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,000 schools across the country.

ā€œIt was very important to partner with them not only for the great work that they do with historically black colleges and universities, but also the fact that they partner with other universities to provide students scholarships,ā€ said Mays. ā€œI thought it was a win-win. Their long reputation and track record of donating to students and helping them finish college was vital to us.ā€

The Mays Family Scholarship is open to any graduating high school senior or current undergraduate college student, regardless of race/ethnicity or age, who was born in or is a permanent resident of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana or Michigan ā€” all states where the Mays family resides. Students must have a minimum 2.8 GPA, submit a one- to two-page personal statement on what they plan to do with their degree to impact the world, and be enrolled in or planning to attend an HBCU or one of the following schools: Indiana University, Indiana State University, Michigan State University, University of Arkansas, University of Chicago, University of Illinois or Western Michigan University.

The selection committee will choose three students, each of whom will receive a check for $1,500.

ā€œWeā€™re hoping to continue to grow our scholarship so that next year we can do even more,ā€ said Mays. ā€œOne of the significant things about this is that in todayā€™s world, there are many first-generation college students. A lot of them may not have the resources they may need. That was a determining factor in us doing this as well.ā€Ā 

Mays added that the family is also seeking contributions to add to the scholarship fund. Those interested in donating are asked to contact Pastel Dunn, with the UNCF, at (202) 810-0174 or via email at pastel.dunn@uncf.org.Ā 

The scholarship application will open on April 17, 2017, and will close in June. For more information, visit uncf.org and click on the scholarship tab.

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