FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 30, 2012

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgsc.edu

SGC Pledges Support for REACH Scholarship Program

Through the support of the SGC Foundation, South Georgia College is pleased to announce that it has joined colleges and universities across the state, including the other 34 member institutions of the University System of Georgia, in supporting the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship program, which Gov. Nathan Deal announced earlier this year.

Ms. Shelly McLean, 2012 SGC Foundation President, states, “The Foundation is proud to support the College and the state of Georgia through this initiative. Many of the students who attend SGC require financial assistance and our mission is to help advance South Georgia College. Thus, we are grateful to allocate these dollars to assist local and statewide needs to help more students obtain a college degree.”

REACH, Georgia’s first needs-based scholarship, targets middle school students with the ultimate goal of giving selected students the resources they need to graduate from high school, access college and achieve post-secondary success. Eligible students will be chosen from three pilot school systems (the Bulloch, Douglas and Rabun County systems) who will then sign an agreement stating that they will satisfy grade point average requirements, stay out of trouble, and avoid drugs and alcohol. They will also be required to meet with mentors until they graduate. REACH-eligible students will begin their first semester of college in the fall of 2017.

“The REACH Scholarship continues our state’s ongoing commitment to providing access to higher education for all Georgians, regardless of their income,” says Gov. Nathan Deal. “This scholarship will reward students for self-accountability, promote parent involvement and provide motivation and support -- all factors that we know are critical in student educational achievement.”

The REACH Scholarship provides $2,500 per year for up to four years to recipients. Should a REACH scholar choose South Georgia College, the SGC Foundation will pay the remainder of one scholar at a time’s tuition while he or she is at SGC.

Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President, states, “In 2012, SGC has served students from over 109 Georgia counties. As a residential institution, we are glad to be able to help provide assistance to deserving students across the state and enhance higher education in Georgia.”

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.