Pensacola State College received $5,000 in scholarship funds from Veterans National Homecare for first-generation in college students on Aug. 19.
Denis McKinnon Sr., Denis McKinnon Jr., and Wade Wilson – on behalf of Veterans National Homecare – presented the First Generation Matching Scholarship donation to Pensacola State President Ed Meadows at the PSC Foundation office.
The company has pledged a total of $15,000 to the fund scholarships. Two other annual donations of $5,000 will be made in 2020 and 2021. As available, future donations will be matched by funds from the First Generation Matching Grant Program.
Pensacola State President Ed Meadows thanked the Veterans National Homecare for the scholarship dollars.
“Pensacola State College is grateful to Veterans National Homecare for its commitment to help our first-generation in college students with their tuition, fees and books,” Meadows said. “Without generous donors such as yourselves, the dream of higher education would remain just that for many of our students. At Pensacola State, we are in the business of improving and transforming lives, your donation will help us continue that mission. ”
McKinnon Sr., a Pensacola State alumnus and highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran, wants the scholarship dollars to help other veterans and their family members.
“We just want to do the most good to help out those who have served our country in the military and their families,” McKinnon Sr., said. “These men and women make huge sacrifices when serving in the military, and we must take care of them as well as their spouses and children.”
After leaving Pensacola State, McKinnon Sr., entered the U.S. Marine Corps’ Aviation Program and earned his Naval Aviation Designation in 1963. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam – one where he was injured. However, he still went on to serve 20 years as a Marine aviator.
Andrea Krieger, executive director of the Pensacola State College Foundation, said the funds from Veterans National Homecare will be given to first-generation students with a preference for veterans or family members of veterans.
“Last year, we used first generation matching grant funds to support 10 veterans who were attending PSC,” Krieger added. “This year, the generous gift from Veterans National Homecare will allow us to honor additional students and their families by making a college education possible for those who are first generation students.”
The First Generation Matching Scholarship will be a FAFSA-based scholarship is available to full- or part-time students with a demonstrated financial need. Recipients also must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Scholarship recipients also must meet other requirements.
The first scholarships will be awarded in fall 2020, and funds can be used for tuition, fees, books and other supplies.