UAlbany and SEFCU Team for New Investment in Higher Education Opportunities for Capital Region Students

Middle school students pore over an exam. UAlbany and SEFCU is working together to provide students such as these with greater pathways to higher education. (Photo: Montgomery County Public Schools)

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 5, 2013) -- University at Albany President Robert J. Jones and SEFCU President and CEO Michael J. Castellana '84, '92 today announced a $25K investment into higher education opportunities for area students.

The pledge from SEFCU includes fifteen $1,000 scholarships to Capital Region K-12 students for a UAlbany education, and $10,000 to support the Albany Promise Cradle to Career Partnership for disadvantaged City of Albany middle and high school students who wish to pursue higher education at UAlbany.

"On behalf of everyone at SEFCU, we're proud to sponsor these scholarships to keep our brightest and best here in the Capital Region," said Castellana. "By helping the next generation attend the University at Albany, we're working together to create a strong and prepared workforce that will continue to make New York, and more specifically, our region, the capital of commerce."

The announcement was made at UAlbany Day 2013: Showcase at the Plaza, an event designed to highlight the educational, cultural, and economic impact of the University at Albany for local K-12 students and educators, community and business leaders, and state government officials. This year’s event attracted more than 1,200 K-12 students from more than 25 area schools.

"Together with our valued partner, SEFCU, we can assist area students in achieving the dream of higher education," said Jones. "UAlbany Day provides Capital Region students a glimpse of what our great university has to offer and these two scholarship programs help pave the way."

The scholarships to benefit Capital Region K-12 students will be awarded to 15 students who write the best essay about their UAlbany Day experience. Recipients will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the University at Albany. Winners will be announced April 26, 2013.

The Albany Promise Cradle to Career Partnership scholarship program will be launched with $10,000 to provide economically disadvantaged middle and high school students from the Arbor Hill, West Hill, and the South End neighborhoods an opportunity to pursue higher education at the University at Albany.

"The Albany Promise scholarship program will provide a needed pathway for children in the city's most disadvantaged schools to attend college and be prepared for success in the local workforce," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "The partnership between SEFCU and UAlbany continues to do great things for the Capital Region and all of its students, from cradle to career."

The Albany Promise Partnership will award scholarships to eligible students based on academic and developmental criteria. The scholarship program will be implemented in September 2013 with school officials to encourage students to apply for the grants later in the academic year.

UAlbany Day 2013 is a wonderful opportunity for our students to get excited and inspired about the importance of higher education,” said City School District of Albany Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D. “We are grateful to UAlbany President Jones and SEFCU President and CEO Castellana for their leadership, partnership and commitment to providing a pathway for our students to follow to achieve the goal of higher education."

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