New Foundation Scholarship To Aid First-Generation College Students

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

A new scholarship from a foundation serving Berlin, Southington, New Britain and Plainville aims to help first-generation college students.

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, which serves Berlin, Southington, Plainville and New Britain, recently announced a new scholarship fund, The Kandyce and Rick Aust Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Kandyce Aust met Foundation President David Obedzinski through the New Britain Rotary Club and started to learn about the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) and its Catalyst Giving Circle.

After becoming familiar with some of the programs at the Foundation, Kandyce Aust and herhusband, Rick Aust, were inspired to start a new scholarship fund.

“The opportunity for education is really important for people to have access to.” Kandyce Aust said. “We started to work on our estate plans and wanted to have elements of our will that would positively impact other lives. You work hard your whole life and at the end of the day, you wonder what’s your legacy and impact?”

Early on in marriage, Kandyce and Rick Aust relocated from Massachusetts to Connecticut for Rick Aust’s job.

Kandyce Aust left her job in corporate communications when they moved and wanted to work in the nonprofit arena.

Just by chance, she ended up working for the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sports.

She now works for the YWCA in New Britain, and said “I love working for a mission I believe
in.”

Kandyce Aust’s father was the first in their family to go to college.

After working at St. Joseph’s University where the majority of students were first generation, she saw what an impact getting an education made on them, and was inspired to establish this scholarship for first generation college students.

Kandyce Aust offered some advice to future students.

“Open your eyes and heart to opportunity. Don’t be afraid to take chances and risks because you just don’t know what doors are going to open, or what opportunity you are going to come across. I believe that if everybody makes a little effort or gift, it is amazing what a big impact it can have as a whole. Don’t be hesitant to pay it forward.”

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets and partner to address key community issues.

To make a gift to the Kandyce and Rick Aust Endowed Scholarship Fund, visit www.cfgnb.org/donate-now. If you are interested in establishing your own fund or scholarship, contact David Obedzinski, CFGNB President, at 860-229-6018, ext. 306 or david@cfgnb.org.

For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.