RMHC and its local Chapters provide aid to outstanding graduating high school students who cannot afford the cost of a college education and strive to offer these students the chance to fulfill their educational goals to become the future leaders of tomorrow.  The scholarships are distributed based on demonstrated academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.

"The RMHC U.S. Scholarship Program focuses on supporting students from communities with limited access to educational and career opportunities by providing the appropriate tools to aid their success," said Gerald McCoy, president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area. "Watching the results of our winners, as they graduate college and go after their dreams is not only rewarding, but also inspiring."

The RMHC-NYSTA Scholarship Program is comprised of four individual scholarships:

• RMHC/ASIA- Asian Student Increasing Awareness Scholarship- Applicant must have at least one parent of Asian/Pacific-Islander heritage
• RMHC/AAFA- African American Future Achievers Scholarship- Applicant must have at least one parent of African American or Black Caribbean heritage
• RMHC/HACER- Applicant must have at least one parent of Hispanic/Latino heritage
• RMHC Scholars- All students may apply regardless of ethnic heritage.  Asian, African American and Hispanic students are welcome to apply for the RMHC Scholars program provided they have not applied for one of the three scholarship programs listed above

RMHC began its support of scholarship programs in 1985, by committing $50,000 toward the first scholarships awarded through the Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources (HACER) program. In 2001, the RMHC/ASIA (Asian Students Increasing Awareness) and RMHC/AAFA (African American Future Achievers Scholarships) began. By 2007, the U.S. RMHC Scholarship Program had awarded more than $29 million in scholarships. To date, RMHC National has awarded more than $32 million to help high school seniors attend college.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area is working to better the lives of children and their families in our communities, by creating and supporting programs that directly improve the well-being of children in the areas of health, education, the arts, and civic and social services. Since 1992, RMHC-NYTSA has provided more than $10 million dollars to local non-profit organizations whose programs improve the well-being of children and their families.  For further information on the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area, visit www.rmhcnewyorktri-state.org or call 973.287.1476.

(c) 2010 McDonald's 

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities