Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (BCAT) today announced the establishment of the Blythe T. Merrill Scholarship to support the organization’s graduating high school seniors with college expenses. The Scholarship was conceived in response to rising college costs as well as issues arising from changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that have been particularly challenging for incoming college freshmen this year. BCAT has a 100% high school graduation rate, and this year every graduating senior has been accepted to the college of their choice.
In addition to rising tuition and other increased college costs, changes to the FAFSA have resulted in a significant delay in notifying students if and how much aid they are eligible to receive. This means that students must commit to the school of their choice BEFORE they know if and how much aid they may receive and if they can afford the school of their choice. Late notice of aid also imperils additional scholarships, including Say Yes Scholarships, as many of these are only committed after other avenues for financial aid are exhausted. Funds raised through the Scholarship will be used to provide aid to students so that they have peace of mind that they can afford the college of their choice before they commit to attending.
BCAT has a goal of raising $11,000 to fund the Scholarship that will support BCAT students who plan to attend SUNY at Buffalo (UB), Buffalo State University, Erie Community College (ECC), Hilbert College, Villa Maria College, Alfred University, the and Art Institute of Chicago. All donations made up to $5,000 will be matched, doubling the value of the donation.
The Scholarship is named in honor of Blythe T. Merrill who recently retired as Executive Vice President and Program Officer of The John R. Oishei Foundation. Blythe was one of the community members responsible for bringing BCAT to Buffalo in 2013 and she has been a tireless champion for excellence in education and of BCAT and its students.
BCAT’s afterschool arts & technology program provides a welcoming space for high school students for self-expression, to be part of a welcoming community, and to explore new interests through the arts and technology. The majority of BCAT’s students face significant barriers to success including poverty, trauma, bullying, racism and more. Many of these students come from low-income, single parent households and will be the very first in their family to attend college
The eleven graduating students are emblematic of all BCAT students who are striving to develop their own future pathway and have grown and flourished at BCAT with the guidance of talented staff and programs that provide students a chance to develop new interests and discover their talents. To make a donation to the Blythe T. Merrill Scholarship Fund, click here.
