The Marvy Finger Family Foundation awarded a record 84 full scholarships this year to Houston Independent School District graduates who will attend two-year colleges to pursue Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificates and associate’s degrees.
The scholarship recipients are students who are seeking careers in fast-growing, high-paying professions such as computer programming, maritime transportation, petroleum engineering technology, nuclear medicine technology, automotive, HVAC, pipefitting, cybersecurity, construction, licensed vocational nursing, and welding.
“The generosity of the Finger family is well known when it comes to funding post-high school career training and higher education for our graduates, but they have surpassed themselves this year,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “These scholarships are extremely timely and appreciated right now because many of our graduates and their families are experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.”
The scholarships, which cover tuition, tools, equipment and supplies for HISD students, began in 2013 with eight awards. Last year the Marvy Finger Family Foundation presented scholarships to 65 HISD students.
In addition to full scholarships to any local two-year college, the foundation also provides mentoring and food scholarships in partnership with the Houston Food Bank that provides 60 pounds of food twice a month while the students are in college.
“The students are so excited when we tell them they have been selected,” Scholarship Director Cruz Casiano said. “What we do is so rewarding. The financial assistance the foundation is able to offer these students is instrumental in helping them build rewarding careers.”
Scholarship awards are based on students’ interest in a career and technical program, grades (minimum 2.0 GPA), school activities, and financial need.
Marvy Finger is a native Houstonian who has been in the real estate business for more than six decades and is highly regarded for his business achievements and philanthropic efforts in civic, medical, and educational institutions across Houston.