By Anne Pryor
Margaret’s Fund
Margaret’s Fund: A Northside Scholarship is accepting applications for its 2018 award. Any Northside resident who is an adult returning to post-secondary school after an interruption in education is invited to apply.
Applicants must be a Northside resident and be accepted into a degree or certificate-seeking program for the 2018-19 academic year. Applicants can be enrolling for the first time this fall or continuing in a program already begun. Preference will be given to applicants who actively participate or volunteer in Northside organizations and have overcome substantial obstacles or challenges to success.
Full guidelines and the application can be obtained at margarets-fund.com. This is an online application, but if online access is a problem, please contact the organizers for alternative options. The application also requires one letter of recommendation from a non-family member. The application deadline is June 4.
Margaret’s Fund was established in 2007 to support residents of Northside Madison neighborhoods who are pursuing higher education. The award goes to a graduating high school senior in odd years and a returning adult in even years. Margaret’s Fund has made eight awards to Northside residents so far: 2009 Tara Hoffman, 2010 Nicole Tackes, 2011 Stacey Yang, 2012 Omobolanle Kikelomo Olumbi, 2013 Chekwube Obieze, 2014 Melissa Marie Alexander, 2015 Aminata Bojang, 2016 Felicia Jones.
College is expensive in many ways beyond tuition and books, the two areas covered by most scholarships. Because Margaret’s Fund is unrestricted, the recipient can use the award to pay for some of the often forgotten extra costs of college, such as child care, computers, transportation, supplies or special fees. The scholarship award is $500.
Margaret’s Fund is professionally managed by the Madison Community Foundation. Donations are tax deductible and very much appreciated.
Questions about Margaret’s Fund: A Northside Scholarship can be directed to Alyssa Kenney at 213-7917, ackenney@yahoo.com or Anne Pryor at 244-7099, bluezinnias@yahoo.com.