News Flash

New Castle County Scholarship makes higher education affordable for nearly three dozen local students

New Castle, DE – College tuition costs have more than doubled over the past twenty years, creating significant and growing barriers to post-secondary education for families in Delaware and across the country. This spring County Executive Matt Meyer launched the New Castle County Scholarship Program to address that barrier at the local level, and on Saturday, June 15 nearly three dozen local college-bound students received the first round of competitive need-based scholarships, helping to make their dream of a college education a reality.

During a ceremony at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center County Executive Matt Meyer, Red Clay School Superintendent Dorrell Green and Scholarship Committee Chair Natalie Washington awarded scholarships to 32 County residents from the county’s $50,000 scholarship fund, with most ranging from $500 to $3,000. During an emotional surprise, Meyer also presented three of this year’s applicants - Temilade Ogunfadebo, Demilade Ogunfadebo and Tatiana Romero – with full academic undergraduate scholarships to Wilmington University. These full academic undergraduate awards were provided by the University to New Castle County to allocate through its scholarship program. Without scholarships these three young women would not have had the financial ability to pursue or continue their college education. Nearly 200 students submitted applications for the 2019 New Castle County Scholarship.

“New Castle County’s largest-ever scholarship program is helping to put 32 exceptional young people on the path to building their careers and achieving their full potential,” County Executive Matt Meyer said.

Wilmington University recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. In those five decades, it has never wavered in its commitment to provide affordable and relevant academic opportunities to diverse students who wish to transform their lives through quality education. “We are delighted to support the New Castle County Scholarship Program and applaud County Executive Matt Meyer for his efforts,” said Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon. “When we offered these scholarships to New Castle County, we knew they would select students who were most deserving.”

County Executive Matt Meyer launched the inaugural New Castle County Scholarship Program in March, offering need-based financial support to New Castle County residents, including residents of Wilmington and other municipalities, who are currently enrolled or will attend an accredited post-secondary undergraduate program in the summer or fall of 2019. The scholarship was also available to non-traditional students such as adult learners seeking a college education. Students applied by providing biographical and academic information and penning a short essay. A review committee of local educators and community leaders identified finalists, conducted interviews in May and selected recipients who demonstrated financial need. The diverse group of recipients represent 22 institutions of higher learning.

“Thank you to our visionary County Executive who is demonstrating his administration’s commitment to doing things differently, leveraging government to work on behalf of the people,” said Red Clay Superintendent Dorrell Green, who also recognized Meyer for the County’s funding support for Red Clay’s One School, One Book program at Mote Elementary which engaged every student grades 2-5 in a collaborative reading program that involved the entire school community in literacy and performance. “Too often today we see government as politics, but this needs-based scholarship program breaks that mold with policies that meet urgent needs through investments in higher education and skill training. That dramatically improves career advancement and earning potential for our Red Clay graduates.”

“With the rising cost of tuition, housing and other expenses, achieving a piece of the American dream through a college education can seem impossible, but thanks to County Executive Matt Meyer and his Administration, that dream has been made possible for 32 amazing young people in our community,” said Natalie Torres Washington, Scholarship Committee Chair. “Thanks to New Castle County for making an investment in a brighter future. As you, our scholarship recipients, face the continued challenges before you remain committed to finish what you have started and never forget that we believe in your potential!”

2019 New Castle County Scholarship Recipients

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Contact: Jason Miller, Director of Communications, 302-545-1462