AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Community Foundation announced today that 20 Central Texas students will receive a $25,000 scholarship from the Sheth Sangreal Scholarsh
ip Fund managed by the Foundation.
The Sheth Sangreal Scholarship Fund was created in 2022 to support the economic mobility and financial needs of students that demonstrate high academic achievement in Austin and surrounding areas. Since then, the scholarship fund has awarded $1.5 million to 60 local students for their educational pursuits.
“Congratulations to the 2024 Sheth Sangreal Scholarship recipients,” said Brian Sheth. “Our family is honored to invest in the educational journeys of these exceptional students. We are committed to continuing our support and empowering the next generation to achieve their dreams and make a lasting impact on our community.”
Of the 20 high school graduates selected to receive a $25,000 scholarship this year:
- 70% recently graduated high school in Central Texas;
- 30% are currently enrolled in college;
- 100% are students of color;
- 60% are first-generation college students;
- 85% are female, and 15% are male.
“I am so grateful for this scholarship. In the future, I hope to receive my master’s or PhD in medical anthropology and help bridge the gap of health and cultural disparities in communities of color and communities of lower socioeconomic status. With the support of this scholarship, I now have a stepping stone to give back to my community,” Jamiya Dawson, recent Akins High School graduate attending the University of North Texas in the fall.
“The moment I received an email notification about the Sheth Sangreal Scholarship, it felt like a miracle. This scholarship has not only lightened the financial burden but also rekindled my hopes and aspirations for my education. With the aid of this scholarship, I am now able to attend Texas State University without the overwhelming worry of financial constraints,” said Aleena Tomy, a current Austin Community College student pursuing a degree in computer science.
“I’m incredibly honored to be a recipient of this generous scholarship. I’ll be entering UT Austin this fall to pursue a degree in electrical and computer engineering, and I’m humbled to continue my education here in Central Texas. Austin is a hub for technological growth, and after graduation, I’ll use my education to develop technologies to improve the quality of life in Austin and beyond,” said Connor McDonald, a recent graduate of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA).
Austin Community Foundation distributed 175 scholarship awards this year totaling $897,408, including the scholarships announced today. The Foundation manages over 100 scholarship funds, and students can apply for multiple opportunities using a single application. Applications open in the fall of each year; awards are announced in the spring. Learn more at austincf.org/apply-for-a-scholarship.