Available Scholarships Subject Of Next Rowan College Town Hall

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Numerous scholarship opportunities available to Rowan College at Burlington County students will be the subject of the college’s next Facebook Live Town Hall discussion.

A piano technician, a nurse, a film student and a cybersecurity expert will participate in the discussion at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Viewers can submit questions throughout the livestream and at rcbc.edu/coronavirus. The event will include the following participants:

• Jane Cheslo, who returned to school after a lengthy career as a piano technician;
• Kennedy Vasquez, a 2020 Dress for Success participant who’s preparing to study film at Rider University;
• 3+1 student Delmond Wyllis, a cybersecurity major who is entering his final year at Rowan University; and
• Lisa Gerstenacker, a Rowan College at Burlington County Nursing graduate who attended at the same time as her daughter.

They will talk about how the RCBC Foundation supports students in meeting their financial obligations while providing access to a high-quality education.

“In some cases, these scholarships have alleviated students from needing to take on a second job or work during the semester,” RCBC Foundation Director Lindsey Daniello said. “I liken it to when you go to Starbucks and find that the person in front of you has paid for your latte. This is the same concept on a larger scale. It’s people saying they believe in what our program does, and they’re paying it forward. It validates the hard work of our students.”

Cheslo, who’s an adult learner, didn’t think college and universities were interested in helping her with scholarships.

“I incorrectly presumed that those doors had closed when I didn't attend college immediately after high school. It was my daughter, also a substantial scholarship recipient (RCBC and the University of Rhode Island), who encouraged me to apply,” Cheslo said. “In addition to RCBC's generosity, I am continuing my education with Rutgers University with a $6,000 renewable scholarship and federally subsidized loan this fall.”

Gerstenacker, also an adult student, echoed a similar sentiment in believing that scholarships were not geared toward her age group. Since initially applying for scholarships, she’s earned three and shared that it was a tremendous help financially.

“My advice to students is you may as well apply and see what happens,” Gerstenacker said. “There’s no harm in applying. It’s so simple, and the scholarships are easily accessible.”
To learn more about RCBC’s scholarship opportunities, visit rcbc.edu/foundation.