Low-Income Residents Eligible For GED Scholarships, Tampa

The University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools Adult Education will award 50 scholarships to cover GED classes. The awards, which are valued at $50 each, will be given to low-income residents of neighborhoods surrounding the Tampa campus of USF.

“Recipients will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, with a focus on financial need and community volunteerism,” says Dan Jurman, executive director and CEO of the UACDC. “At one time, people below the poverty line were able to take the GED course at no cost. Recent budget cuts have passed the cost on to the impoverished members of our community; therefore, we thought it was important for us to do what we could to help people bear that burden.”

Applicants must complete and show proof of three hours of volunteer work with a nonprofit organization, church or community group in the university area community within the past month, provide income verification below poverty level and be able to take the GED class, which will be offered at the University Area Community Center.

In addition to GED classes, Jurman says the organization plans to offer college scholarship in the future.

“The UACDC will be making an announcement about a new college scholarship program in the near future,” he says. “In the short term, however, we felt the urgency of helping the most vulnerable people in our community attain their GED as a first step towards them achieving self sufficiency.”

Scholarship applications are available at the University Area Community Center located at 14013 North 22^nd Street in Tampa. Those interested in donating to the GED Scholarship Program should email Josalyn Michelle Loango.

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Dan Jurman, University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc.