Jordan-Elbridge Dollars for Scholars is a local, volunteer-operated, community based scholarship foundation legally affiliated with Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA).

PURPOSE

This Dollars for Scholars chapter is organized to provide local students with financial aid and with personal encouragement and support to actively pursue higher levels of academic achievement. The local community rallies around those seeking higher education to give them a boost and ensure they reach their highest potential.

Jordan-Elbridge Dollars For Scholars History of Awards

CHAPTER FUNCTIONS

A Dollars for Scholars chapter has five functions:

1. Develops a process for smooth and permanent operation of the chapter
2. Promotes recognition of the Dollars for Scholars program
3. Raises funds for student aid distribution
4. Distributes awards on a fair basis
5. Provides academic support and/or mentoring for students

PART OF A NATIONAL NETWORK

More than 803 Dollars for Scholars chapters are active nationwide. Chapters are assisted in their formation and growth through CSFA's Dollars for Scholars department and its regional offices.

WHAT IS CSFA?

Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) is a national, nonprofit, student aid service organization. CSFA was founded in 1958 by Dr. Irving A. Fradkin in Fall River, Massachusetts, and incorporated as a national organization in 1961.

MISSION

CSFA’s mission is to expand access to educational opportunities by involving and assisting the private sector in the support of students and in the encouragement of educational achievement.

CSFA is the only national organization dedicating its charitable purpose to the creation and support of community scholarship foundations (Dollars for Scholars chapters). CSFA also designs and manages scholarship programs (Scholarship Management Services) for hundreds of corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals, and uses the funds generated from these services to support CSFA's charitable purpose, Dollars for Scholars. Another program of CSFA is ScholarShop, a community-based resource center designed to motivate and prepare students for post-secondary education.

ONE CITIZEN'S DREAM

In 1957, Dr. Irving Fradkin, an optometrist in Fall River, Massachusetts, had a dream - at first only a local dream. The son of immigrants, Dr. Fradkin valued education as the most important freedom in America. Dr. Fradkin called together friends and area citizens, challenging them to join in a voluntary effort to support local students. By asking for contributions of $1 or more from community members, the new organization known as Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Fall River, was able to award 24 scholarships to local young people in its first year.

Surrounding communities soon learned of Dr. Fradkin's success. By 1961, 21 cities and towns in New England had adopted his self-help philosophy. In that same year, the local foundation leaders in these communities came together to form Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America. Dr. Fradkin's one-man effort became a national movement.

CSFA began to spread across the country, with each community chapter raising local money for local students. Average, above-average, and at-risk students received awards to help fund their education at universities, colleges, and vocational-technical schools. Students benefited from the recognition and support they received from their communities, and community members shared in the pride and excitement of contributing to their future success.

THE DREAM ATTRACTS THE NATION

As CSFA grew, it attracted considerable national attention. Reader's Digest, Saturday Review of Literature, Better Homes and Gardens, and similar publications told Dr. Fradkin's story nationwide. In addition, post-secondary institutions began joining with CSFA as Collegiate Partners in a commitment to expand private sector student aid. Gradually, many chapters expanded their commitment beyond scholarship awards to provide academic support - services that assist and motivate students to improve their academic performance and prepare for higher education.

DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS TODAY

More than 803 chapters in cities, suburbs, and rural areas across the nation award scholarships and provide academic support to deserving students. Several Dollars for Scholars regional offices assist with local chapter creation, development and ongoing support. This national network of chapters and their volunteers are working toward the fulfillment of Dr. Fradkin's expanded dream - that every American is able to exercise the freedom of education.

COLLEGIATE PARTNERS

Collegiate Partners are colleges, universities, and other accredited post-secondary institutions that support the mission of CSFA and local Dollars for Scholars chapters. When a student with a Dollars for Scholars award attends a Collegiate Partner institution, the school agrees to use the award to fill any unmet need remaining after the student's initial financial aid package has been calculated. Collegiate Partners further agree that the first $ 1,000 in CSFA-related scholarships will not be used to reduce grant assistance from the institution.

Some Collegiate Partners make an additional commitment as Matching Partners, matching scholarship awards coming to them from Dollars for Scholars chapters when unmet need still exists. These Matching Partners benefit by attracting outstanding students, while chapters and their recipients see awards increased by participating schools.

A Directory of Collegiate Partners is mailed annually to each affiliated chapter chairperson and to the guidance offices of the 1,200 schools they serve.