AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Community Foundation announced today that 20 local students have been selected to receive a $25,000 scholarship from the Sheth Sangreal Scholarship Fund, a new fund managed by the community foundation.
The Sheth Sangreal Scholarship Fund was created this year to support the economic security and financial needs of Central Texas students that demonstrate high academic achievement.
“With rising costs of college tuition and the potential burden of student debt, pursuing a college degree is out of reach for so many students in our region,” said Brian Sheth. “With the Sheth Sangreal Scholarship Fund, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow by providing a pathway for young adults, regardless of their background or financial status, to reach their educational dreams. We are proud to support and empower the 20 Central Texas students selected for this year’s scholarship awards.”
Data about the 20 high school graduates selected to receive a $25,000 scholarship:
- 100% recently graduated high school in Central Texas
- 90% are students of color or two or more races
- 70% are female; 30% are male
- 65% are first-generation college students
“Throughout my whole life, financial stability has been a harsh obstacle my family and I have had to face. Once I received this scholarship, everything changed for the better. I can put all of my attention on becoming an accountant and helping lower-income communities achieve financial stability. For that, I cannot thank you enough. You have changed the trajectory of my life,” said Antonio Macedo Gonzalez, Sheth Sangreal Scholarship recipient attending The University of Texas at Austin this fall.
“This scholarship will help me pay for my education at Harvard and achieve the dreams I’ve worked so hard for. Also, instead of working long hours and worrying about student debt, I’ll be able to devote more time to the challenging course load that accompanies my desired major, neuroscience, to take advantage of all my resources. Receiving this scholarship serves as the helping hand I need to achieve my goals, something that will greatly ease my stress during college and help me focus on how to improve the lives of others as an aspiring pediatric psychiatrist,” said Lamisa Mahmud, Sheth Sangreal Scholarship recipient attending Harvard University this fall.
In addition to the scholarships announced today, Austin Community Foundation recently issued 119 scholarship awards totaling $270,394. The foundation manages over 100 scholarship funds, and students can apply through one application. The scholarship application opens in the fall each year; awards are announced in the spring.