Nelsonville, OH — The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) recently announced the recipients of its 2008 scholarship awards, distributing $68,000 to students throughout Appalachian Ohio.
The FAO scholarship committee selected 50 winners from a pool of more than 270 applicants. “We were pleased with the number of outstanding applications we received this year,” said committee chair and FAO board trustee Marianne Campbell. “So many students in this region have aspirations toward education beyond high school, yet do not have the resources they need. FAO is working to make these dreams a reality for all students in Appalachian Ohio.”
The scholarships come from funds donors established within FAO, many in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. The scholarships these funds make possible leave a legacy in the region for many years to come.
Access to higher education has historically been limited in Appalachian Ohio; the college attendance rate for this region is 30%, compared to 41% for the State of Ohio and 62% for the United States. By working with donors to create scholarship opportunities, FAO is helping improve access to education with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Appalachian Ohio.
Each year, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio offers scholarships to students across the 29 counties of Appalachian Ohio. For more information about how to apply or how you can contribute to the scholarship resources, visit www.fao.local or call 740-753-1111.