ALLENTOWN, Pa. — More than $200,000 in scholarships are being awarded to Lehigh Valley families to pay for school tuition.
The Bridge Educational Foundation on Thursday handed over checks at two area schools.
Families with children at Lehigh Christian Academy in Allentown and Holy Family School in Nazareth are on the receiving end of scholarship money.
The Bridge Educational Foundation gave a total $208,000 in scholarships to those who meet the income qualification.
"Parents are the best choice-makers for their student, and they are making the choice that best fits their child's individual needs, and in this case, the scholarships are helping those families make that choice."Natalie Nutt, Executive Director, Bridge Educational Foundation
"Parents are the best choice-makers for their student, and they are making the choice that best fits their child's individual needs, and in this case," said Natalie Nutt, executive director of the Bridge Educational Foundation, "the scholarships are helping those families make that choice.”
The Bridge Educational Foundation operates statewide and said it has helped 37,000 students with scholarships to date.
Checks were handed out Thursday at the two Lehigh Valley Schools with students, parents and some government officials in attendance.
"Our families that receive scholarships through the Bridge Foundation have expressed a lot of gratitude," said David Miller, head of school at Lehigh Christian Academy.
"They're very grateful for everything that's being done for them.
"It means that they have the opportunity to choose an institution that's a great fit for their family, like LCA, and participate in our unique mission and education we're providing,” Miller said.
'One of our core values'
Lehigh Christian Academy is a tuition-based school that has about 300 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Miller said tuition varies based on income and scholarships set in place for individual students.
The money from the Bridge Educational Foundation came from donors, including Waste Management, JL Mann Consulting and Post Road Management.
“This program is just an extension of one of our core values as a company,” said Scott Perin, who is with Waste Management's greater Mid-Atlantic area.
"We've probably put in about $23- to $25 million into the program over those years to support great organizations like Lehigh Christian Academy and the other groups that qualify for the program.”
The Bridge Educational Foundation has raised $52 million in scholarships for Pennsylvania students, according to Nutt.
