HOUSTON, TX (August 19, 2016) — The Smart Financial Foundation is proud to announce that six local high school seniors from the Greater Houston Area have been awarded $2,500 Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarships. Recipients of the 2016 Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship Fund and the high schools they graduated from this spring include:
“All six of the students honored this year demonstrated great academic achievement and community involvement throughout their years in high school. The Smart Financial Foundation is proud to provide assistance for the next chapter of their academic careers,” said Tiffany Halfon, Director at the Smart Financial Foundation. “This is just another example of how the Smart Financial Foundation continues to changes lives, improve communities and help others achieve their dreams.”
Named in honor of Ruby Sue Clifton, a past chairman of Smart Financial Credit Union, the Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship Program has recognized outstanding high school seniors each year since 2003 with scholarships that can may be used for books, tuition and miscellaneous expenses. To date, this program has awarded more than $170,000 to help with the cost of college and making the education dreams of students come true.
To qualify for a Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship, high school seniors submit an online application detailing their academic achievements, demonstration of school leadership and participation, and community service along with three letters of recommendation and an essay. Students must be planning to attend an accredited 4-year college, 2-year community college or trade/vocational school. Applications are evaluated by a scholarship committee comprised of at least three Board Members and two Advisory Council Members of the Smart Financial Foundation. Applications for the next round of Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarships will open January 2017.
The Smart Financial Foundation’s Ruby Sue Clifton Scholarship is funded by the Foundation’s annual golf tournament. This May, more than 100 community members participated in the annual event, raising more than $57,000 and fully funding the scholarships and other Smart Financial Foundation community initiatives for the calendar year. The fifth annual Smart Financial Foundation Golf Tournament is slated for May 22, 2017 at the Blackhorse Golf Club. Registration will open in early March 2017.
Dedicated to changing lives, improving communities and achieving dreams, the Smart Financial Foundation was formed in 2013. One of its biggest initiatives is providing funds for the Smart Financial Foundation Ruby Sue Clifton program along with other established local scholarship programs, which help further the education of youth, adult students, and the medical community. The Smart Financial Foundation also supports charities that help children, indigent healthcare, and the educational community.
For more information regarding the Smart Financial Foundation, its work and how to become a donor, visit https://www.smartcu.org/Home/SmartFoundation or connect with Smart Financial Foundation on Facebook.
Smart Financial Credit Union has been dedicated to providing superior service since 1934. With 14 locations in Greater Houston, Smart Financial is a state-chartered credit union that is owned and operated by its members. Smart Financial provides a full range of financial services to more than 71,000 members. For more information, visit www.smartcu.org or engage with Smart Financial Credit Union on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Susan Chapman
Smart Financial Credit Union
smchapman@smartcu.org
Media Contact:
Corbin Wilson
Smart Financial Credit Union
713.407.1913
corbinw@smartcu.org
