Savannah Technical College Foundation Celebrates Record-breaking Year for Student Scholarships in FY22

Staff Report

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Savannah Technical College Foundation more than doubled funding for student support through private scholarships in FY2022. The total amount awarded to students doubled, and the number or students assisted with scholarships more than tripled in the past year. 

“For many students, not being able to purchase a book, buy a barbering kit, or afford the $100/credit hour makes pursuit of technical education challenging,” said STC Foundation Chairman of the Board Gary Sanchez.

 Scholarship highlights from FY2022:

$564,000+ raised for scholarships (up 300% from FY21)

$236,000+ awarded through student scholarships (up 200% from FY21)

414 students received scholarships in FY22 (up 300% from FY21).

The Foundation administers 30 different privately funded scholarships assisting students with tuition, fees, tools, books and testing. There are also two endowment scholarships: Patrick Williams Scholarship Fund and Walter & Charlotte Hixon Scholarship Endowment. 

STC students receive scholarship support is also provided through employees with the annual HERO (Helping Everyone Realize Opportunity) Campaign that funds the Faculty & Staff Scholarship. In FY2022, this campaign raised topped $40,000 for the first time in its six-year history. 

The annual Opportunity Award Gala honoring Bill Cathcart raised more than $147,000 to support military scholarships through the STC Freedom Fund in 2022.

The Foundation also found COVID-proof opportunities to raise funds for culinary arts when events were cancelled. The Big Pig Fundraiser Feast has raised $25,000 to date to benefit culinary arts scholarships.

STC scholarship funds are managed by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501 (c)3 organization whose sole purpose is to raise private funds to support the mission of Savannah Technical College. Gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disburse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.