SLATE BELT RISING LAUNCHES 2021 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

For Immediate Release Media

Contact: Stephen Reider 484-523-0900 sreider@caclv.org Program provides students the opportunity to further their education and help defray the cost of post-secondary education Slate Belt Rising, a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley, announced it is now accepting applications for its 2021 Scholarship Program. The $500 scholarships are available to high school seniors who have been accepted at a four-year university/college, community college, technical school, or entering the workforce in a trade; as well as adults continuing their education. Applicants must reside in the Bangor Area School District or Pen Argyl School District.

“Slate Belt Rising created this scholarship program keeping in mind that there are people of all ages pursuing different levels of education and different career paths that need financial help to achieve their goals,” said Stephen Reider, Director of Slate Belt Rising. “Our program allows students the versatility to use funds to continue their education at two- and four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade schools, graduate school, and purchase the tools needed to enter the workforce in a trade.” Applicants are required to submit an application, two letters of recommendation, and official school transcripts. Scholarship funds must be used exclusively for tuition at post-secondary educational institutions that normally maintain a regular faculty and curriculum, and for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at such institutions, for room and board expenses payable to the institution, or for the purchase of tools for a student entering the workforce in a trade. Launched in 2019, the Slate Belt Rising Scholarship Program has provided $6,000 in funds for nine students to date.

Applications are currently open and being accepted until April 9, 2021. Grantees will be notified in mid-late April, 2021. For full guidelines and application, visit slatebeltrising.org. Questions can be directed to Stephen Reider at sreider@caclv.org or 484-523-0900.

About Community Action Community Action operates a wide range of programs designed to improve the quality of life for low-income people in the region. Those programs include the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Sixth Street Shelter, housing initiatives like homeownership counseling and foreclosure mitigation, rehab and new construction. The agency operates entrepreneurial programs that make loans and offer small business training. It also does extensive neighborhood revitalization work in downtown Allentown, south Bethlehem and the Slate Belt, ranging from façade improvements and creating pocket parks to planting trees and streetscaping. Only 32% of its budget comes from government funding, a proportion without equal among more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies in the nation.

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