Foundation Administers Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship
High School Graduations are just around the corner and for the Elk County Community Foundation, (ECCF) that means scholarships will soon be awarded to area students. Organizer of the Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship decided to seek the help of the Foundation when searching for applicants for their award.
Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship sponsored by RVFD & Friends will be one of the ECCF’s 37 different scholarship funds that they administer. The Foundations will distribute nearly $74,500 in scholarship grants to area students in 2011. Each scholarship is unique to the field of study, eligibility and community it serves. This year the Foundation has the honor to administer a scholarship that has been helping Ridgway students for over 30 years, and has just recently come the Elk County Community Foundation. The Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship will provide a $500 to a student who reside in the Ridgway Area School District, attending either RAHS or ECCHS and who are active in their school and community.
This scholarship has been awarded since Dick Fava unexpected passing in the late 80’s. Dick was a very active member of the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department. He was a fire fighter as well as a member of the Rescue Squad helping people in need when ever called upon. Dick had a strong desire to see that his children and all kids had the opportunity to go to college and have successful life. For that reason, when Dick unexpectedly passed away at 42, his family, friends and fellow fire fighters decided to set up this scholarship in his memory, to fulfill his wishes. His wife Sue and son Joe live in Ridgway and his daughter Lori and family live in Kersey. Dick helped many people in many ways and that is what his family and friends want to do. They are proud to be able to offer this scholarship in Dick Fava’s memory.
The Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department and friends have administered the scholarship over the years but thought that since that is what the Community Foundation does, they should take advantage of their expertise. In honor and memorial donations can be accepted into this fund to help the scholarship grant grow. Simply send a check to the Elk County Community Foundation/Dick Fava Fund at P.O. Box 934, St. Marys, PA 15857
In addition to the dollars this student will receive from the Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship fund, he/she may receive matching dollars from PHEAA through the PATH (Partners for Access To Higher Education) program. As one of only 35 approved organizations that are PATH partners, the Elk County Community Foundation will submit each student who receives one of the scholarships that they administer to PHEAA for additional matching funding. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in an approved Pennsylvania College or career school and be PHEAA approved. Last year, students that received ECCF scholarships received over $29,000 in additional grants. This is one of the reasons that many donors come to the Foundation to establish their scholarships. This program can potentially double their scholarship award through the PATH program.
The Community Foundation also assists donors who have an interest in starting a scholarship fund, whether as a general purpose or in the memory of a deceased family member or friend. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the foundation for further information on the matter or check out their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com .
32 South St Marys Street, Suite 4, P.O. Box 934 – Saint Marys, PA 15857 – Phone: 814-834-2125 – Fax: 814-834-2126 – Email: eccf@windstream.net
