New Foundation To Provide Support to Regional Students

A new nonprofit will provide financial resources for emergencies, scholarships to attend higher education and funding for expensive tools and equipment to support student learning or post-graduation employment.

Representatives from Northwest Education Services (North Ed) and several higher educational institutions announced the creation of the North Ed Foundation and the new scholarship opportunities colleges and universities have made available to students through the new nonprofit.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the North Ed Foundation seeks to address the diverse needs of students served by North Ed, the region’s intermediate school district spanning Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. More than 44 percent of students in this service area are identified as economically disadvantaged, the new nonprofit said in a statement.

Students who are eligible to apply for funding requests from the foundation must be associated with North Ed’s Career Tech or regional special education programming. Students who receive special education support provided by North Ed at their local school districts are also eligible.

The North Ed Foundation would support these students through three primary methods:

 ● Student Emergency Resource Fund (SERF) to support emergency needs while in school, including (but not limited to) food, clothing, assistive technology devices or basic medical care.

● Tools of the Trade Fund helps students that are going directly into the workforce.

● Scholarship Fund supports graduates attending post-secondary education.

The North Ed Foundation is not a subsidiary or affiliate of any college or university. However, several higher educational institutions have made new commitments that align with the foundation’s mission to support the financial needs of students connected to North Ed programming and services. Those institutions and their commitments include

● Central Michigan University: 10 $1,000 annual scholarships, renewable for up to four years. Scholarships are available to students who complete any program at Career Tech.

 ● Davenport University: Two $1,000 annual scholarships, renewable for up to four years, available to students who complete any program at Career Tech.

● Michigan State University: Five $1,000 annual scholarships available to students enrolled in the Agriscience program at Career Tech, and other programs related to agriculture, and those enrolled in a MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) program. Scholarships are renewable for both years of the IAT program.

● Michigan Technological University: $1,000 annual scholarships (renewable for up to four years) for any student completing the Engineering Academy program at Career Tech.

● Northwestern Michigan College: Free tuition for full-time students from Grand Traverse County and any who are eligible for Pell Grant assistance, regardless of residency in the five-county area.

 In total, the combined value of commitments from higher ed partners could be in excess of $400,000 per year that will be used to support Career Tech students.

Photo: Members of the North Ed Foundation Board pose for a photo during a press conference Wednesday at Northwest Education Services (North Ed) Career Tech in Traverse City. The event was held to announce the formation of the Foundation. From left, board President Pat Lamb, Director Chet Janik, Vice President Sue Zell, Director of Donor Engagement Dr. Tim Quinn, Secretary Kris Wendland, Director Lisa Thomas and Director Karmin Olds.