Fairfield County-based philanthropic organization Near & Fair Aid recently awarded a $12,000 grant to the Housatonic Community College Foundation, which distributes resources through scholarships to students with proven academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

“This grant recognizes the far-reaching impact and opportunities for lasting change that Housatonic Community College (HCC) provides for students and our entire community, said Dr. Paul Broadie, President of Housatonic Community College. “We are grateful for this support, and for the over ten-year commitment the Near & Far Aid organization has made to the college and its students.”

Though private donations, Housatonic Community College Foundation scholarships provide access to a quality education for students who do not have the financial resources to pay for college, and contributes to the region’s economy by developing a better-trained workforce. During the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the foundation awarded over $280,000 in scholarship funds to 236 students, 19 of which were funded by Near & Far Aid.

Near & Far Aid is an all-volunteer fundraising and grant-making organization dedicated to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County. It accomplishes its mission by identifying and funding programs that seek to achieve lasting change.

With the continuation of higher tuition rates, Connecticut budget cuts, and reductions in both financial aid awards and unrestricted funding, HCC Foundation’s ability to keep up with the demand for scholarships is increasingly more and more difficult. To learn more about the foundation and how you can support financially struggling scholars, visit www.housatonic.edu or call 203-332-5078.