The MetroTech Business Improvement District (BID) is creating 25 college scholarships of $1,000 each for high school graduating seniors who will attend colleges in Downtown Brooklyn.
Graduating seniors enrolled at Benjamin Bannaker, Brooklyn International High School, Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Brooklyn Technical High School, George Westinghouse High School, Pacific High School or Science Skills Center will be eligible for these awards.
Students at these high schools interested in applying for the scholarship should contact their school college advisors.
Students must graduate this year and selection will be determined by each high school, based on academic achievement and school or community service. They will be required to attend a Downtown Brooklyn college including Long Island University, New York City Technical College, Polytechnic University, Pratt Institute, St. Francis College or St. Joseph’s College.
A Board of Advisors, consisting of local elected officials is in formation to provide advice regarding future administration of the program.
These include Borough President Marty Markowitz, Councilwoman Letitia James, Councilman David Yassky, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, Assembly Member Joan Millman, Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman Edolphus Towns, and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez.
The program will be funded by the BID out of its assessment revenue. No public dollars will be used.
Victoria Aviles, of Bridge Cleaners and president of the MetroTech BID said, “The business community in MetroTech feels a special responsibility for giving back support to the community that shops, works and otherwise frequents our area. We wish to encourage our local young people to continue to develop their skills with a view towards having them remain in Brooklyn while in college.”
