The DCU/Reach Out for Schools Book Fund
Criteria: ($250 Award) The DCU/Reach Out for Schools Book Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student, in any major, who meets the following criteria:
• Completes a FAFSA
• Is in his/her sophomore, junior or senior year
• Has a GPA of 2.7 (B minus) or higher
• Is a United States citizen
Awards will be determined/ranked by how much an applicant’s parents(s) can contribute (determined from FAFSA), with grants assisting the 40 neediest students.
Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution cooperatively owned by and operated for its members. Since being chartered in October 1979, DCU has been selected as the credit union for employees and members of more than 800 companies and organizations along with their families.
Founded in 2005, Reach Out for Schools is a nonprofit membership organization that raises money to donate to primary and secondary schools in communities where its members reside. Members join on an annual basis or for three years. Through the use of volunteers and donated services, Reach Out for Schools is able to direct almost 100 percent of the money raised back to local educational programs.
Funds that have been raised have been used to “adopt” local classrooms through the Adopt-A-Classroom program as well as support the DCU/Reach Out for Schools Book Fund to benefit Worcester State University students. As of December 2009, Reach Out for Schools has “adopted” 126 classrooms throughout the United States.
DCU and Reach Out for Schools established a textbook fund to support the ongoing efforts of both organizations to further advocate the importance of obtaining an education at Worcester State University.
“DCU’s support of the book fund to benefit Worcester State University students is an investment in tomorrow’s future by taking proactive steps today to ensure that every student has the means necessary to pursue a higher education and achieve their financial goals tomorrow,” said Tim Garner, DCU’s senior vice president of marketing and strategic planning.
“The organizers of Reach Out for Schools believe that the future health and economic strength of our communities and our country depend on the successful education of our children,” said Michael Caissey, Reach Out for Schools’ board director and chairperson. “The groundwork is laid in our schools, but because schools are often lacking in resources they need to achieve or students do not have the necessary financial support to further their education, Reach Out for Schools provides support in both areas.”
“I applaud DCU and Reach Out for Schools for helping our students with this academic necessity and their leadership support,” said President Ashley. “Together, these organizations have created Worcester State Foundation’s largest textbook fund.”