Scholarship America Student Survey: Financial Concerns Top of Mind This Fall
As colleges focus on student health and safety concerns due to COVID-19, Scholarship America's nationwide survey shows that students are most worried about their personal finances as the school year draws closer.
64% of student respondents said paying for school is one of their top concerns, while 42% of respondents listed contracting the virus as a top concern
77% said the pandemic has reduced their ability to earn income needed for their education
64% said the pandemic has increased their need for financial aid
30% of students surveyed said they have lost a job needed to help pay for college due to COVID-19, and 28% said a parent has lost a job
“As advocates for student success, we’re deeply concerned about these findings,” said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America. “College affordability has long been a major challenge for many students and their families; COVID-19 is making that problem even worse. This is hitting students hard, especially low-income students. Students are dealing with a great deal of uncertainty as they try to plan for the fall semester.”
Scholarship America Supporter Profile: Adam Bradford
Scholarship America’s mission is supporting students – and that mission is driven by supporters like you.
In this issue, we’re thrilled to introduce you to one of those generous supporters. Adam Bradford is a U.S. Air Force aviator, a husband, a father and a monthly sustaining donor to Scholarship America.
“I grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois. It was a very blue-collar area, so my guidance counselors throughout high school never put a big emphasis on getting a college education. Without much encouragement to go to college, I decided to join the U.S. Air Force,” Adam says. Twelve years into his USAF career, he is now serving as a Special Missions Aviator, flying on the HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter for combat search and rescue missions.
“I understand the importance of college education, and that the opportunities of receiving a decent education in this country are far from equal. That is why I choose to support scholarships: to bring awareness to the scholarships out there, and to make them MORE available to MORE young adults—many of whom want to go to college but may not have the financial support.”
Twenty-one exceptional students have been selected as recipients of Scholarship America’s 2020 Dream Award—and we're proud to be sharing their stories on our blog! Today, we invite you to meet Sydney Koirth, a single mom and aspiring radiologist; and David Cazares, a frontline health-care worker and immigrant student who hopes to become a doctor.
Both Sydney and David have overcome tremendous challenges to follow their college dreams, and we are thrilled that we can provide them the support they need to complete their degrees and continue pursuing their passions.
In Memoriam: J. Barry Griswell, Immediate Past Board Chair of Scholarship America
Scholarship America lost a true friend this summer with the passing of J. Barry Griswell. Barry joined the Scholarship America Board in 2010, served as Chair of the Board from 2017 to 2019 and was Immediate Past Chair of the Board at the time of his passing. He was an important, ever-present member of the Scholarship America family and anyone who met Barry was struck immediately by his presence, his gregarious spirit and his humanity.
As first-generation college graduate, Barry knew firsthand the impact a scholarship can have on helping you reach your goals. He called education “the great economic equalizer” and stated that “scholarships do, in fact, change lives.” He was a voice and a force, not just for Scholarship America, but for all students.