Miami Bayside Foundation Creates Scholarship Fund, Supports First Generation Students at FIU


MIAMI (June 13, 2011) — The Miami Bayside Foundation announced today a gift of $203,000 to Florida International University to support access to higher education for City of Miami residents. With State matching funds, the gift will result in a total impact of $353,000. The scholarships will support the establishment of an endowment for students interested in business and entrepreneurship, as well as funds to facilitate access to higher education for first generation students from the City of Miami.

Founded in 1988, the Miami Bayside Foundation seeks to stimulate economic development in the City of Miami and provide educational opportunities. As part of this mission, today’s donation will provide talented students within the city the resources needed to pursue their academic and professional goals at FIU.

“The Miami Bayside Foundation’s generous support demonstrates our shared commitment to public higher education and making it possible for academically qualified first-generation or historically underrepresented minority students to pursue higher education,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg.

Nearly 50 percent of all undergraduate students at FIU receive financial aid, and nearly 60 percent of those recipients come from families with an annual household income less than $30,000.  More than 7,000 FIU students are the first in their families to attend college. A recognized Minority Serving Institution, FIU is ranked first in the nation in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minorities.

“We are proud to partner with FIU, Miami’s public research university,” said Nathan Kurland, chairman of the Miami Bayside Foundation’s scholarship committee. “So many of our students need financial assistance to access the opportunities an FIU education can provide.”

In providing funds toward an endowment and a First Generation Scholarship program, the Miami Bayside Foundation will assist in preventing highly motivated students with limited resources from being forced to attend only part-time colleges or postpone their education altogether.

“The Miami Bayside Foundation believes that in order to advance our community, we need to start at the real center of innovation,” said Kurland. “Through education we can truly empower today’s entrepreneurs and the aspiring entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

The endowment gift of $103,000 created to support City of Miami residents will be matched at 50 percent by the State of Florida, resulting in total funds of more than $150,000. Also supplemented by matched state funds, the $100,000 gift toward the First Generation Scholarship Fund will be matched at 100 percent, resulting in total funds of $200,000. These scholarships will be available to students starting in the fall of 2011.

“While the First Generation Scholarship Fund is a program that supports universities across the State system, this program is particularly relevant at FIU given that we have more first generation students than any other university in Florida,” said FIU Vice President for Student Affairs Rosa Jones. “FIU is a leader in facilitating access to higher education for students who will be the first generation in their families to earn a college degree and have a core commitment to ensuring these students’ receive the financial and academic support needed for lasting success.”

For more information on the Miami Bayside Foundation, call (305) 379-7070, e-mail info@miamibaysidefoundation.org or visit www.miamibaysidefoundation.org.

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