Manchester Community College, Granite Edvance Launch New Scholarship

MANCHESTER, NH — More than 20 recent high school graduates enrolled full-time at Manchester Community College this fall with help from a new scholarship backed by Granite Edvance, the college, and the Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges.

Granite Edvance funded the program with a $25,000 donation, and it was designed to help students carry 12 or more credits during their first semester at MCC. MCC presented $750 scholarships, described as the approximate cost of one college course, at high school awards ceremonies in May and June.

Area high schools selected scholarship recipients through recommendations based on financial need, academic standing, and intent to enroll at MCC. The scholarships are part of MCC's new Momentum Scholarship program, which the college said was created last spring in response to research showing that students who attend college full-time are more likely to stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

“We know that students attending full-time are more likely to graduate within three years,” Paul Beaudin, the president of the college, said. “We want to support students who feel they can successfully take 12 or more credits, but who might be held back by financial challenges.”

Two students highlighted in the announcement described what the scholarship meant for them.

“Receiving the scholarship was a surprise and a great honor,” Rowan Hebert, a Trinity High School graduate studying electrical technology at MCC, said. “I am grateful for the support and am excited to make the most of my time at MCC.”

Deborah Mejia-Sorto, a Manchester High School West graduate studying liberal arts and pre-nursing at MCC, also described the help the award provided.

“Receiving this scholarship has helped make college more affordable and allowed me to focus more on my education and my goal of pursuing a career in nursing,” Mejia-Sorto said. “I’m very grateful for the support because it has given me the opportunity to continue working toward a career where I can make a difference in people’s lives.”

Granite Edvance said the donation reflects its focus on college access and student success.

“Students who can fully engage in their education from the start have strong advantages in reaching their goals,” Granite Edvance President and CEO Christiana Thornton said. “By reducing financial pressure, these scholarships can help students confidently take the next step toward earning a degree or credential.”

Additional scholarships for students already enrolled at MCC were awarded from separate donations, the org said.