HCC and Houston Texans team up to give scholarships to veteran students
Apr 23, 2015
Veterans attending Houston Community College were honored at NRG Stadium for their service on the front lines and in the classroom with scholarships to help support their education and skills training.
Scholarships for Service provides scholarships for veterans through a partnership between the HCC Foundation and the Houston Texans. HCC is the only community college in the nation that is an educational partner with an NFL team.
“These young men and women are potentially putting their lives in danger for our country and they come back here; some physically disabled, emotionally disabled,” said Shawn Taylor, president of the HCC Foundation Board. “It’s the very least we can do to try to help them jump start their career with the greatest ease possible so they can work their way back into a productive role in our society.”
“There are no words powerful enough to say how appreciative I am,” said Michael Bray Clegg, a scholarship recipient who is studying Business at HCC. “I am humbled.” Clegg was a sergeant in the Army who did tours in Korea and Germany.
Scholarship recipient Ahmed Shabazz is a Vietnam veteran who will graduate in May with a degree in Process Technology. He plans to continue his education and get a Welding certification. “The scholarship is very timely and unexpected,” Shabazz said. “It has certainly made me a bigger Texans fan!”
Shabazz, Clegg and other recipients who attended the Scholarships for Service reception, had a chance to shake hands with Texans offensive lineman and featured speaker, Ben Jones.
“I am just happy to be a part of this because I know how much it means to the Texans organization,” Jones said. “The opportunity to pair with HCC and further veterans’ lifestyles, and give them a scholarship so they can help their families after they’ve served is amazing.”
In order for veterans to receive the $1,000 award they must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, complete an online application, write an essay and attend a recognition event held by the HCC Foundation and an event held by the donor. These recipients can put the funds towards tuition and books.
“We would like to continue this partnership and grow our veterans population in hopes that we can continue to provide scholarships to veteran students,” said Dr. Sabrina Lewis, HCC director of Veterans Affairs.
“Our veterans are amazing people and anything we can do to help them-- we’re all on board for it,” Ben Jones said.
For more information about Scholarships for Service, visit hccsfoundation.org.