Nestle awards scholarships to high school seniors who were B.D. Lee Elementary grads

By SCOTT POWELLLedger Staff Writer

The Nestle Very Best Adopt-A-School Scholarship Program is available to high school students who were in grades 3-6 at B.D. Lee Elementary during the 1998-1999 school year. This year’s graduating class is the first group of students eligible for the award.

Nestle has started the scholarship program with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

The nonprofit scholarship organization provides operating support to 38 historically black colleges and universities.

Nestle scholarship winners who attend a UNCF member school will receive a $4,000 renewable scholarship. A $3,000 renewable scholarship will be awarded to students who choose to attend a non-member UNCF school.

UNCF member schools in South Carolina include Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College and Voorhees College.

“Over the next four years, as the senior class is scheduled to graduate, UNCF will hold the competition,” said Cynthia Nair, UNCF senior program manager for scholarships and grants administration. “Annually, a minimum of 30 applicants will be selected for awards.”

The deadline to apply for the Nestle scholarship program is May 16.

All applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, a minimum 1,000 SAT score, and an unmet financial need, Nair said. Other scholarship criteria include participation in extracurricular activities and community service.

The scholarships will be renewed for up to four years if the student continues to attend school full-time and maintains a 2.5 minimum GPA.

“This is a wonderful scholarship opportunity for our students,” B.D. Lee Elementary Principal Dr. Bertha Harris said. “We are very appreciative to Nestle for making these scholarships available.”