SCHOLARSHIP EXCLUDES MINORITIES AND WOMEN Finall, Help for the `Average Joe`

Released on = January 8, 2006, 10:42 am

Press Release Author = Average Joe Scholarship Fund

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = Scholarship offers middle-class, average Caucasian males a
chance with financial help for college.

Press Release Body = All of America…well some of America, has been calling for an
answer to the unfairness to a certain group of students when it comes to financial
help with college. Well the “Average Joe Scholarship Fund”
(www.averagejoescholarshipfund.org) has provided an answer. Actually, it addresses
two issues. The first one is obvious. This scholarship fund is for Caucasian males
exclusively. The group usually excluded from nearly every other fund in existence.
The second issue is maybe not so obvious. It gives average students, with average
grades, from average family incomes, a second chance to succeed AND financial help
in getting there. No, the scholarship does not give undeserving students financial
aid just because they are white males. Applicants must be serious about changing
their attitudes, habits of making poor choices, and improving their academic
situations. AND they must show a trend in doing so.

Some thoughts from Students;
· “The vast majority of scholarships out there favor minorities. It is a heck of a
lot easier to get money for college and other things if you\'re not white. At my high
school we have an African American club, Hispanic culture club, Asian American club,
and a Phillipino Pride club. That\'s all well and good, I think it\'s great to have
pride in your ethnic background and know who you are, what bugged me is what
happened when I wanted to start a club. I talked to my principal about starting a
Caucasian Culture club and he told me it was discriminatory.” (Written by high
school female)
· “Case in point: My GPA was a couple hundredths higher than my sister, who last I
checked had the same background racially and economically as me. She got
scholarships, I didn\'t.”
(Written by twenty-something male)

And from Parents/Teachers:
· “I am glad to see that someone has finally started a fund that includes average
kids. Most students fit into this area and there is nothing available for them. It
makes it hard for our average, everyday student to go to college. As an educator
and parent, I am happy that this is now here to meet their needs. Thank you.”
(Written by ‘lcooper’- Average Joe Message Board)
· “I have a couple of average joe\'s at home. I say hoorah!! I have been looking for
scholarships, seems like forever. Of course we aren\'t rich enough or poor enough.
AND we can forget about ethnicity. We rarely had to look past the scholarship title
or the first requirement 99% of the time. It\'s definitely a great idea and all I can
say is donate! donate! donate!”
(Written by Sam65 - Average Joe Message Board)

The ‘Average Joe’ is also using a unique way of choosing the winners. In staying
with the times, the Average Joe has chosen to use a “Reality” type application.
Along with a short essay, applicants must submit a 3 minute video, CD or DVD of
themselves explaining what made them decide to change, what their aspirations are,
goals they have, and how this scholarship will aid them in attaining those goals.