Scholarships

“Writers of Passage” Recipients Announced

Michael Brockington, Writers of Passage Scholarship Recipient, Alcorn State University Michael Brockington (right), Writers of Passage Scholarship Recipient, Alcorn State University

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, has announced the 2007 recipients of the "Writers of Passage" scholarship program. Now in its second year, the program is a partnership between The Sallie Mae Fund and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).

This year, nearly 100 applicants participated in the “Writers of Passage” effort; students from Historically Black Colleges or Universities, or Predominantly Black Institutions, described in a 500-word essay why HBCUs and/or PBIs are uniquely suited to prepare diverse students to compete in today’s global economy. Four individuals ultimately were selected to receive a $5,000 college scholarship. The universities attended by the recipients also will receive a $20,000 grant.

The 2007 “Writers of Passage” recipients are Patience Ajoff (Knoxville College), Quiana Lewis (Fisk University), Nsikan Masani (Fort Valley State University), and Felix Nwokeabia, Jr. (Norfolk State University).

The “Writers of Passage” scholarship program is part of The Sallie Mae Fund’s mission to support programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their college investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. The “Writers of Passage” effort also serves to underscore the importance of writing skills in the college-admissions process, which is particularly relevant in light of relatively new writing requirements for the SAT.

Since 2001, The Sallie Mae Fund has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to specifically address financial need among promising young students.