SAN DIEGO — North Island Credit Union is helping one lucky high school senior from a foster home get his or her college degree.
The credit union has stepped up as the first corporate contributor to the Alex Smith Foundation, which is working in partnership with the Guardian Scholar Program and San Diego State University, to enable high school seniors from foster homes to complete university education. Only one in 100 foster kids complete their college degree.
San Diego native Alex Smith, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has chosen to focus his Foundation's efforts on the needs of older foster children.
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The Guardian Scholar program is now active at 22 universities and after maximizing grants and other support, there is a shortfall of $8,000 per student per year financially.
North Island CU made the first commitment to close this gap and fund one student over his or her four-year education. The partnership with North Island Credit Union includes mentorship and the opportunity for an internship with the credit union during college to foster financial education and career interest.
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