Thirty students from Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools are attending college this upcoming fall/winter with a full scholarship from Mile High United Way, including tuition, books, fees and materials.

Scholarships are made possible through the Mile High United Way Pathway Scholarship, a fund created in May to help students of color, primarily African American, afford and attend college.  Mile High United Way, under its Self Sufficiency initiative, invests in strategies like the Mile High United Way Pathways Scholarship, to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and independence. A large gift from the Peierls Foundation helped make the Mile High United Way Pathway Scholarship available for the 30 students.

“We know that education is one of the best ways you can help at-risk youth in our society overcome hurdles and become self sufficient,” said Gaile Weisbly, senior director of self sufficiency for Mile High United Way. “Our work at Mile High United Way is about investing in youth now so that we have an educated workforce to keep our community healthy and vibrant for years to come.”

The scholarship awardees will attend either Community College of Aurora or Community College of Denver and will complete their Bachelors’ Degrees at Metropolitan State College.

More than 120 people honored the students at a Mile High United Way reception June 25 including their families, community leaders, representatives of Aurora Public Schools, Denver Public Schools, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State College.