The Cleveland Browns Foundation Marion Motley Scholarship, managed by College Now Greater Cleveland, seeks two deserving students who will graduate from high school in 2017 to receive a four-year, renewable scholarship in the amount of $2,500 per year. The $10,000 scholarship provides opportunities for motivated students whose long-term career goal includes working in education or for a professional sports organization in a variety of capacities.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation and College Now Greater Cleveland are now accepting applications for the Marion Motley Scholarship through October 1, 2016.
Students must be enrolled in a high school located in Northeast Ohio, on track to graduate at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year, and plan to enroll in a two- or four-year college in 2017 in order to apply. They also must meet the following minimum qualifications: 2.5 cumulative grade point average through junior year in high school and a score of 18 on the ACT or 860 on the SAT.
"The Cleveland Browns Foundation's mission focuses on education, and the Marion Motley Scholarship is one of many ways we strive to ensure that our students are given optimal opportunities to learn and ultimately prepare for a successful future," said Cleveland Browns Foundation vice president Renee Harvey. "We are proud to support these deserving scholarship recipients, all of whom have graduated or are on track to graduate."
Entering its 11th year, the partnership between the Cleveland Browns Foundation and College Now has awarded more than $210,000 of scholarship funds to 21 students.
Steve Saed, a 2012 recipient is now a junior finance major with economics and statistics minors at the University of Pittsburgh. This summer, Steve will be heading to New York City for an investment banking internship with J.P. Morgan. Steve says the opportunities he has had, both school- and career-related, would not have been possible without the help of the Marion Motley Scholarship. In the future, Steve hopes to pay it forward to a deserving student to help them achieve their education and career goals.
Rachel Mealy, a 2013 recipient, is now in her second year at the University of Akron. The graduate of Springfield High School is triple-majoring in exercise science, dietetics and Spanish. She is currently studying abroad in Cusco, Peru, where she is studying Spanish and learning about the rich culture in the area. After graduation, Rachel hopes to enter the Peace Corps and help impoverished communities with social issues related to health and well-being or immediately enter graduate school and continue studying nutrition and physiology.
The Marion Motley Scholarship honors former Browns fullback and linebacker Marion Motley, who broke ground as one of the first African-American players in the NFL and played with the Browns from 1946-53. Enshrined in 1968, Motley was the second African-American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his native Canton. Each of the recipients demonstrates resiliency and determination, among many other qualities that embody those of Marion Motley.
The scholarship is aimed at first generation, low income students, providing them with the support and resources they need to continue their educational career. The Cleveland Browns Foundation and College Now Greater Cleveland are proud to say that 100% of past recipients have graduated or are on track to graduate in six years.
To learn more about the scholarship, please visit https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/31042-College-Now-Greater-Cleveland
About the Cleveland Browns Foundation:
The Cleveland Browns Foundation is dedicated to a solution-based, holistic approach to ensure Northeast Ohio youth receive the development and education they need as a foundation for independence and success. For more information, visit ClevelandBrowns.com/foundation.
About College Now Greater Cleveland:
College Now provides Greater Cleveland students with guidance and access to funds to prepare for and graduate from college. For nearly 50 years, our goal has been to help students pursue educational opportunities that empower them to embark on rewarding careers and strengthen our community. College Now assists more than 25,000 students each year, delivering college access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services in Greater Cleveland schools, in the College Now Resource Center and through community-based programs. For more information, visit www.collegenowgc.org.
