Equitable ExcellenceSM Scholarships Awarded to 200 High School Graduates Across the Nation
Now in its 20th year, Equitable’s annual program creates pathways to economic opportunity through renewable college scholarships and holistic support
July 5, 2022
Media Contacts:
(212) 314-2010
monique.freeman@equitable.com
NEW YORK – July 5, 2022 – Equitable, a leading financial services organization and principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), today announced the 2022 recipients of the company’s annual Equitable Excellencesm Scholarship. The scholarship program is aligned with Equitable’s commitment to building stronger communities and leverages education as a tool to support social mobility and financial wellness within underserved communities.
Equitable awarded college scholarships to 200 high school graduates across the country. The scholarship program recognizes students who demonstrate the qualities of leadership, determination, and resilience as critical enablers of their future success.
Ongoing monetary support enables students to complete their studies
Now in its 20th year, the program expanded to offer financial education, mental health, and career readiness workshops. Equitable has also increased financial support with renewable scholarships. This is critical, given many college students drop-out of school for financial reasons, according to a recent study by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).
“We congratulate our 2022 Equitable Excellence cohort, who have shown great resilience, especially during these trying times,” said Nick Lane, President of Equitable. “With the recent expansion of our program we have moved beyond just helping students access college with financial support. By evolving our program to include more holistic support, we can help increase social mobility and address income inequality issues.”
One hundred of the recipients received $5,000 scholarships, which will renew each year for up to four years. The other 100 recipients will receive one-time $2,500 scholarships that can help them underwrite immediate costs associated with higher education such as tuition, books, or fees. Since the program’s inception in 2003, Equitable has awarded $30 million to more than 7,000 students.
Holistic support helps students thrive in college and beyond
The expansion of the scholarship program, which now includes holistic support, helps students prepare for careers after college and address key issues that can hinder their success while in college.
For example, career readiness support includes a networking community for current scholarship recipients and alumni that will help students establish peer-to-peer relationships, share insights and take advantage of learning and development opportunities, such as resume workshops and mentorship programs with Equitable’s own employees and financial professionals.
“We know that students from underserved communities are less likely to be awarded scholarships and less likely to have access to strong social networks that can later guide them in establishing a career once they graduate,” said Jarian Kerekes, Head of Social Impact and Community Engagement at Equitable. “We don’t want to just help students get to college, but through and beyond. Through this program we want to address these inequities in college access and career readiness so that more students can pursue their dreams and be a force for good while doing it.”
Scholarship recipients will also have an opportunity to participate in engagement programs that focus on mental health and financial education, key areas where many students need support as they onboard into their first year of college. A recent longitudinal study from the Healthy Minds Network of more than 350,000 students at over 300 campuses across the United States found that the mental health of colleges students has been on a consistent decline for eight years, with an overall 135 percent increase in depression and 110 percent increase in anxiety.
Educators play a critical role in the success of students
Recognizing how instrumental teachers are in the success of students, Equitable also awarded every high school of a recipient a $500 grant and a $500 DonorsChoose gift card for individual educators, who were identified by each scholarship recipient for having an impact on their academic journey. DonorsChoose empowers public school teachers from across the country to request much-needed materials for their students.
The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is supported through a strategic partnership with Scholarship America, who selects scholarship recipients based on the criteria Equitable establishes.
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants submitted an essay describing how they exhibit courage in pursuing what’s possible, display strength in managing challenges, and share wisdom with others.
To view the 2022 recipients, please visit this link.
About Equitable
Equitable, a principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), has been one of America’s leading financial services providers since 1859. With the mission to help clients secure their financial well-being, Equitable provides advice, protection and retirement strategies to individuals, families and small businesses. Equitable has more than 8,000 employees and Equitable Advisors financial professionals and serves 2.8 million clients across the country. Please visit equitable.com for more information.
Reference to the 1859 founding refers specifically and exclusively to Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY). Please visit equitable.com for more information.
Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with main administrative headquarters in Jersey City, NJ, and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN).
