The Chattanooga Housing Authority wants youth in public housing to attend college, and the agency wants to help them pay for it.
"We want to assist residents toward upward mobility," said Carol Johnson, the authority's director of resident services. "Higher education leads to better job opportunities and various open doors."
Less than half the adult residents at the housing authority's two largest public housing sites have a high school diploma.
About the scholarship
* What: the Consuelo "Connie" Bray O'Neal Memorial Scholarship * When: Application deadline April 10 * How to apply: Visit http://www.cfgc.org/images/scholarship/ConnieOneal15.pdf * Applications should be mailed to: The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc. Attention: Rebecca Suttles, director of scholarships 1270 Market St. Chattanooga, TN 37402
For the third year the authority is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior in public housing or in Housing Choice voucher housing. The student has to be on the lease and have a 2.5 GPA to receive the assistance. The money can be used to help fund tuition for any school, two- or four-year, that's accredited, regardless of whether it is located in Tennessee.
The application deadline is April 10.
The housing authority mailed scholarship notification letters to 360 public housing and Housing Choice teenagers between ages 17-19, trying to reach graduating seniors.
The authority offers the Consuelo "Connie" Bray O'Neal Memorial Scholarship in memory of former board member Connie O'Neal, who died in 2012. She served on the authority's board of commissioners for eight years and was known for encouraging others to complete school.
A College Hill Courts resident received the scholarship in 2013 and attended Clark Atlanta University. No one received the scholarship in 2014.
Public housing and low-income residents have the same ability as other people who successfully graduate high school and college, Johnson said, but they may not have the same resources and mentors. And some of them don't feel capable of going to college.
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc. oversees the scholarship selection process.
Howard School freshman Makayla Dillard, an Emma Wheeler Homes resident, plans to apply when she becomes a senior.
She plans to become a dentist and is determined to get the funds for her education.
"We don't have that much money, but I can work a lot of jobs," she said.
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@times freepress.com or 423-757-6431.