The Phoenix IDA and PCDIC award 2023-24 Verma and Ed Pastor College Scholarships
As part of the community-focused missions of both the Phoenix IDA and the Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation (PCDIC), the organizations are jointly funding 90 Verma and Ed Pastor Scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year totaling $420,000. More than 500 applications were submitted for the honor; 58 were selected as new scholars and 32 were returning scholars.
The scholarship was established in 2018 as the PCDIC Scholarship Fund but renamed in 2019 to honor the late Ed Pastor, who was the first Mexican-American elected to Congress in Arizona, and his wife, Verma. The Pastors served as instrumental figures in their Phoenix community and inspired multiple generations of people dedicated to public service and community leadership. Ed Pastor was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Arizona State University.
The Verma and Ed Pastor Scholarship supports post-secondary education for students with financial need attending an accredited public college or university in Maricopa county and pursuing any field of study. Students must be enrolled full time, and the scholarship gives preference to high school seniors, first-time college students, and re-entry students ages 26 and younger who currently reside in Maricopa county.
“By making higher education more accessible to underserved populations, we’re strengthening local communities and educating future leaders,” said Juan Salgado, CEO of the Phoenix IDA. “Since the scholarship first launched in 2018, 322 students have received scholarships totaling approximately $2.5 million.”
Award amounts are $2,500 for one academic year at a two-year college and $5,000 at a public university, and the scholarship can be renewed for one additional year if students remain in good standing and maintain the required grade point average.
The Arizona Community Foundation administers the scholarship program, which is open to applicants annually between January 1-May 1.
More info: https://azfoundation.org/
