During these difficult times, a local non-profit organization is offering two scholarships to help adults return to school and build better lives.
GK Legacy Foundation, based at 4455 E. Camelback Road, is accepting applications for the Keep Your Chin Up Scholarship Fund and the Healthcare Heroes Scholarship.
The Keep Your Chin Up Scholarship is open to Arizona residents ages 25 and older with no previous bachelor’s degree. Those eligible can apply for funds to attend any accredited college, university or vocational institution.
The Healthcare Heroes Scholarship, a new program, is open to Arizona residents 25 and older with no previous bachelor’s degree who want to pursue a degree in healthcare, including nursing and medical assistant programs, at an accredited college or vocational school. There will be a total of $50,000 of scholarships awarded for this round for both programs. The maximum individual award for the healthcare scholarship is $5,000 while the Keep Your Chin Up scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 per recipient.
The deadline to apply for either scholarship is Thursday, Oct. 15 and the winners will be announced in early November.
Peggy Baze, founder and CEO of the GK Legacy Foundation, started the organization in honor of her late father, George Keown, known as GK, whose favorite saying to family members whenever they faced challenges was to “Keep your chin up, kid.”
“I brought my siblings and mom on board to be board members,” Baze said. “They help choose applicants. It’s a real healing process for us because we get to do something wonderful on behalf of my dad.”
A degree is needed for almost any job. However, it can be a struggle for adults who are trying to take care of their families and finances to be able to go back to school, Baze said.
To apply for a scholarship from the GK Legacy Foundation, visit gklegacyfoundation.org.
