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Bright Foundation Launches Persistence Scholarship

The Bright Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new scholarship, the Bright Scholars of Iowa Persistence award.

The Bright Scholars of Iowa Persistence scholarship is awarded to current undergraduate sophomores who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement at the university level and meet income guidelines as demonstrated by completing the FAFSA. Recipients will receive the scholarship for the current year and be eligible for two more years or four semesters of the scholarship.

Like all Bright Foundation funded scholarships, the amount varies by student and covers the full cost of attendance less than any other gift aid.

It is the intent of the Bright Foundation that this scholarship will help more students to graduate on-time, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers and give back in some way.

The 2021-22 Bright Scholars of Iowa Persistence scholarship recipients are:

Iowa State University

Evan Wong
Devin Amdahl
Jennifer Robles
Mackenna Beamer
Natalie McDaniels

University of Iowa

Clayton Garmon
Haley Mudge
Yaman Hussien
Zachary Welsher

University of Northern Iowa

Amber Schute
Ashley Loehr
Daisy Boehmer
Gracie Pollock
Kollin Wright

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”

“I’m a student at DMACC and this award is extremely helpful and appreciated. All this past semester, I’ve been working and going to school while barely making it by. This award will give me the chance to focus on school more. I am so honored to receive it and I am so thankful there are people like you to help college students, like myself, out. I plan on finishing up school and becoming an elementary teacher. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to that goal!”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has opened up for me. Many doors closed right in front of me, and the Bright Foundation opened up a door of hope for my future. I sometimes think I am dreaming and soon realize this is really happening. I am the first one in my family to attend a University. I can not put into words how much of a blessing this has been not only for me but for my family! I will forever be thankful.”

“This is a great community of scholarship recipients to be part of. The scholarship has improved my life in so many ways – not only by allowing me to graduate debt-free in just eight semesters, but also by providing a support system and a network of other Bright Scholars.”

“I am and always will be eternally grateful for what you have done for me and what you’ve done for others. It’s truly amazing how two special people, Lois and Dale Bright, could be so generous in helping others out. I truly aspire to be like them, giving out of generosity and expecting nothing in return. As college rolls on, I get more and more excited to become a teacher of mathematics, not just to teach young adults math, but also to challenge and aspire them to be better people. Without your help though, I am not sure any of that would be possible. For that, I am truly thankful. For now though, I will continue on in college, doing the best I possibly can do and doing my best to represent the Bright Foundation well. Thank you for all you do again, and God Bless.”