Carrollton – State University of West Georgia President Beheruz N. Sethna and Advanced Academy students joined Wednesday to praise U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey and Sallie Mae for their efforts to deliver a crucial $50,000 grant. The grant, announced today, directly aids students enrolled in the academy, a residential program for high-achieving young college students who are high-school age.
"Congressman Gingrey just spoke of angels and I agree that Sallie Mae was an angel in this project,” Dr. Sethna said. “But Sallie Mae is not the only angel here. Congressman Gingrey was the glue that put this thing together. I am deeply in your debt and deeply appreciative of your efforts.”
Students are enrolled in the Advanced Academy during what is traditionally their junior or senior year of high school but are identified as so highly advanced that they are accelerated into the collegiate ranks through the Advanced Academy. Students involved in the Advanced Academy were recently deemed ineligible to receive Pell Grants – college financial aid for students from low-income families. After the U.S. Education Department declared the students ineligible for the grants, Congressman Gingrey contacted Sallie Mae to seek a solution.
Anna McGrady, an academy student from LaGrange told her story.
"My Dad lost his construction job and my mom is an elementary school teacher. The federal financial aid was a great help in our time of need. Everyone should have this chance to better themselves. I have grown academically and expanded in every aspect of my life. The Academy has helped me contribute to my environment and hopefully, to society."
Alan Williams, a former Academy student from Fort Valley, added: “I come from a single parent family and my mom is not working right now while she is in college. Dr. Sethna and the others in the academy want everyone to come, not just those who can afford it. I wouldn't want anyone else to be in my predicament -- shown that they can do it academically, shown that they are ready to take the next step, but just weren't able to show the money.”
"Higher education is the ticket to the American Dream," said Rose DiNapoli, vice president of government and industry relations for Sallie Mae. "Sallie Mae is committed to ensuring that these remarkable young people have the means necessary to pursue a college degree, and we are delighted to play a part in keeping these exceptional and driven students on the path to fulfilling their dreams."
