Last week, Acting Mayor Kim Janey announced the City of Boston Scholarship Committee awarded three East Boston students up to $10,000 in scholarships to help fund their higher education.
Eastie’s Cristina Vasquez who is attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Paola Ruiz who is attending Tufts University and Gabriela Ramirez who is attending Boston University were among the 19 scholars to share in nearly $240,000 in scholarships this year, making college more accessible for Boston residents.
“I’m thrilled to award these deserving students with the financial tools for success,” said Janey. “Education is key to a bright, equitable future for Boston’s residents and the City as a whole, and no one should be barred from pursuing higher education because of cost. I know this year’s recipients will represent Boston in a positive light for years to come.”
The City of Boston Scholarship Fund was established in 1994 to provide assistance to residents who plan to pursue a two- or four-year undergraduate program in Massachusetts. Applicants must be residents of Boston and must have graduated from high school by the time the students are selected for the scholarship program in June.
While 12 of the scholars are high school seniors the three Eastie students are among the six scholars already in college.
The City of Boston Scholarship Committee has awarded over 1,000 students scholarships since 1995. This year, the Scholarship Fund celebrated the nineteenth year of an endowed scholarship donated by the Rosen Family in memory of Jeffrey Dunipace Rosen. The Fund celebrated the sixth year of the Community Development Scholarship, established in remembrance of Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and a Community Spirit Scholarship in memory of former public servant and City of Boston Scholarship awardee, Dawn Jaffier.
Janey said funds for the scholarships are made possible from contributions made by residents and corporations. This year’s scholarships were supported by generous donations from Arbella Insurance Foundation, Jonathan and Margot Davis, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Herb Chambers Foundation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lewis Family Foundation, Santander, and Rapid7 as part of their ongoing commitment to Boston’s students.
Residents who fit the criteria are encouraged to participate in the next application process, which will begin in early 2022. For more information on the City of Boston Scholarship send an email to [email protected].