Foundation contributes funds for needy students

The money will be used to fund an emergency scholarship aid program.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Marion G. Resch Foundation has contributed an additional $150,000 to help worthy and needy students from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties pursue their education at Youngstown State University.
The foundation also has given YSU $25,000 to establish The Resch Scholars Program.
The grants bring the foundation's total contribution to the university to $625,000 over the last four years.
Students who might otherwise not be able to afford a college education can pursue their educational, professional and personal goals at YSU with the Resch funds, said Dr. David C. Sweet, YSU president.
Emergency program
The $150,000 continues an emergency scholarship program that provides students in need from the tri-county area with assistance to begin or continue their college education, said Paul McFadden, YSU's chief development officer.
"There is no question that The Resch Foundation Emergency Scholarship Aid Program has saved students from suspending their education because of financial issues," said Elaine Ruse, YSU's director of financial aid and scholarships.
The $25,000 earmarked for The Resch Scholars Program will provide scholarships to students in an amount equal to the balance of their tuition due after all other funding resources have been exhausted, McFadden said.
That funding support will continue as long as the student maintains a minimum 2.7 grade point average and full-time enrollment status.
Scholars would be required to meet twice a year with the foundation's executive director to review their academic progress and assure that they are astutely scheduling classes for the future.
The foundation, created in 1997, makes grants to support colleges and universities within 100 miles of Youngstown.