FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2016

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
[email protected]

556 Remarkable High School Students Awarded 201Horatio Alger State and Specialized Scholarships

Providing individual scholarships averaging $7,000Horatio Alger Association recognizes young men and women who demonstrate exceptional perseverance and a commitment to education 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 20, 2016) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced 556 students from across the nation will receive its prestigious 2016 Horatio Alger State and Specialized Scholarships. These young men and women are recognized for their admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities, despite facing significant adversity.

Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association has administered one of the nation’s largest privately funded, need-based scholarship programs, having awarded more than $125 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships to students from across the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its National Scholarship Program, Horatio Alger Members began funding scholarships concentrated in each state to further its mission of assisting deserving young people to pursue higher education.  Additionally, Association Members fund a series of Specialized Scholarships, which are targeted to students based on specific degrees programs or academic institutions.

“Horatio Alger Scholars exhibit perseverance and an unwavering commitment to continuing their education,” said Tony Novelly, chairman, Horatio Alger Association.  “By providing these young men and women with the emotional and financial resources they need, Horatio Alger Association furthers its mission of encouraging youth to pursue the American Dream. The 2016 Horatio Alger State and Specialized Scholars are an exceptional group of talented students and our Members are honored to help support their future success.”

Collectively, the 2016 Horatio Alger State and Specialized Scholarship recipients have maintained an average GPA of 3.6 and ACT score of 24 (above the national average), while coming from households with an average annual income of $19,116. Each recipient is awarded an average of $7,000 to apply toward the tuition of their selected college or university.

“Horatio Alger Scholarship recipients have demonstrated the ability to overcome personal adversity while maintaining a resilient spirit on their individual paths to success,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “Hard work, determination and perseverance are admirable qualities, which all of these Scholars possess. The Association is proud to support this year’s class of State and Specialized Scholars as they continue to pursue their endeavors and successfully accomplish their educational and professional goals.”

For a complete list of the 2016 Horatio Alger State and Specialized Scholars, please visit https://scholars.horatioalger.org. State and Specialized Scholarships are funded through the generosity of the following individuals/organizations:

Later this year, the Association will also award State Scholarships in Idaho, Louisiana, Montana and Nebraska.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its 2016 Scholars, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, the Association awards more than $11 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in college scholarships to more than 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.