In September 2023, AmCham Georgia and the McLain Association for Children Georgia (MAC Georgia) joined forces to launch a new university scholarship program. The aim of this program was to provide students from low-income and disadvantaged families with the opportunity to pursue higher education. Thanks to the generous support of AmCham member companies, the program was able to offer 30 scholars four years of tuition payments and a stipend to help cover living expenses.
Unfortunately, in Georgia, many talented students are unable to fulfill their dreams of higher education due to financial barriers. This not only deprives them of opportunities, but also hinders the country’s economic development. To address this issue, AmCham Georgia and MAC Georgia launched a university scholarship program at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, providing new educational opportunities for underprivileged students in Georgia.
The program identified 30 students in its first year and provided them with financial support for tuition and a modest living allowance. Using the government‘s targeted social assistance evaluation system, the program was able to identify those with the greatest financial need. It was designed to consider both merit and need, offering its first-year students a range of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
The project was funded by AmCham members, with AmCham and MAC Georgia taking responsibility for recruitment, administration, and financial management. In the first year, supporters included TBC/TBC Leasing, Gulf, Bank of Georgia, Nutrimax, Hilton Batumi, GeoWel, Batumi International Container Terminal, BLB, Peri, Ronny’s Pizza, and School of Progress.
In addition to financial assistance, the program also provided extracurricular opportunities for its first-year students. Regular check-ins were conducted with AmCham and MAC Georgia representatives to discuss their academic progress and inform them about upcoming events. According to CEO of MAC Georgia, Jeremy Gaskill, these informal discussions were a great way to receive feedback from the participants and build relationships with them to better support them in taking full advantage of the program’s opportunities.
“It has been a great year, and I believe the program has been a real success,” says Gaskill. “I have enjoyed getting to know each of the scholars and am constantly impressed by their motivation and enthusiasm. They are truly grateful for this opportunity and it is evident that they are making the most of it!”
AmCham Executive Director George Welton shares this sentiment, stating, “I feel that the program has been even more successful than I could have imagined. The impact it has had on these students’ lives is truly remarkable.”
In conclusion, the AmCham and MAC Georgia university scholarship program has made a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged students in Georgia. It has not only provided them with financial support, but also opened doors for their future success.
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