SCHOLARSHIPS
Supporting Post-Secondary Education
Each year, REF assists hundreds of students in applying for financial aid for college. Even the most generous aid packages sometimes leave students coming up short. That’s why we are so thankful to work with partners to provide additional scholarship opportunities to students. Currently, REF administers four scholarships. Learn more below about how different groups are supporting city students.
Please go to rochestercan.org to see criteria and apply for scholarships.
Kyaha Moses accepting his Edward Wilson, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Announcing 2024 Scholarship Winners
Pat Braus Founder’s Award :
Maeve Delehanty & Sky Justice
The Edward Wilson, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund:
Khaya Moses
Vincent N. Fazio Memorial Scholarship Fund:
Jada Green
Shashi Gholkar Memorial Scholarship:
Lah May Paw
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Jada Green is the 2024 recipient of the Vincent N. Fazio Memorial Scholarship Award
Edward Wilson, Sr.
The Edward Wilson, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Edward Wilson, Sr. Memorial Fund was created to honor the memory of the beloved Rochester City School District (RCSD) social studies and history teacher who served for over 30 years. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Mr. Wilson graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and later received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany. While teaching he also received two master’s degrees in Education and Administration from Nazareth College and St. John Fisher College, respectively.
His community, particularly the Hanover Houses neighborhood of his youth and his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., were extremely important to him. Education was instrumental in his success and Mr. Wilson worked to uplift students and their families, helping them understand their possibilities through schooling. His gregarious personality, nurturing ways, and willingness to elicit laughter made him beloved by many. This fund will support students of color with college scholarships, continuing his devotion to students’ pursuit of higher education.
Pat Braus Founder’s Award
The REF Founder's Fund, supplies a $500 scholarship per year to a student who is college bound and is an active part of the Rochester community, particularly active in public service activities. The grant recipient is selected in the spring.
Vincent N. Fazio Memorial Scholarship Fund
Fond memories of an Edison High School math teacher lead a group of Edison graduates to establish a scholarship in the teachers' name. Each year, an outstanding Edison Career & Technology High School math student is selected to receive a generous gift of $1,500 from The Vincent N. Fazio Memorial Fund to help them with postgraduate studies.