Four Berlin Students Receive Scholarships From American Savings Foundation

College students and their families are finding it harder than ever to pay for school. Four Berlin students received some extra assistance when they were awarded a Robert T. Kenney Scholarship from the American Savings Foundation last week. This year, the American Savings Foundation announced a total of $725,000 in scholarships – the most it has ever awarded – for 384 students from across central Connecticut. The scholarships are based primarily on financial need, and most of the students are the first in their families to go to college.

Recipients from Berlin are: Jack A. Banks, Northeastern University; Laine Blankenburg, Central Connecticut State University; Edward M. Courchaine, University of Connecticut and Elisa Iris Ithier, University of Saint Joseph.

“Our goal is to help as many students as possible, with award amounts that are large enough to make a real impact,” said Maria Falvo, COO of American Savings Foundation. “This scholarship is renewable, so over four years we typically may provide a total of around $8-10,000 for each student.” The scholarship program was named in memory of Robert T. Kenney, whose original vision led to the creation of the American Savings Foundation. Kenney, the son of immigrants who instilled in their children the values of education and hard work, became a leader in the banking industry in Connecticut.

He was chairman, president and CEO of New Britain-based American Savings Bank from 1991-2003. From his own experiences, Kenney understood the importance of making a college education affordable for the next generations of leaders.

The American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment that also awards grants to area nonprofits. Since its inception in 1995 the foundation has contributed over $38 million in total grants and scholarships in central Connecticut. A total of $8 million in scholarships has been awarded to 1,749 students over the program’s 18 years history. Scholarships are awarded to students from the 64 Connecticut towns served by the foundation.