RMHC Helps Children Reach Their Full Potential Through Scholarship Program

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Oct 1, 2012) - Nelson Mandela once said that "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Ronald McDonald's House Charities® (RMHC®) shares that principle and believes change starts with improving the life of one child which in turns affects a family, a community and ultimately the world. Through its U.S. Scholarship Program, RMHC strives to improve children's lives by opening the door to higher education. Starting today, high school students in the U.S. who demonstrate academic excellence, show a commitment to helping others and aspire to attend college can apply online for a scholarship through the RMHC U.S. Scholarship Program.

To help ease the financial burden of families and give eligible students an opportunity to reach their full potential, RMHC and its network of U.S. Chapters offer applicants the option to apply to one of four scholarship programs: RMHC®/ASIA (Asian Students Increasing Achievement), RMHC®/African American Future Achievers, RMHC®/HACER® (Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources) and RMHC® Scholars. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the Fall of 2012 a record 21.6 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, an increase of about 6.2 million since the Fall of 2000. While this is tremendous progress, the financial burden of attending college can be a barrier for many families. When you add the average annual tuition of $35,000 plus other living expenses at a private, four-year institution, higher education is often beyond reach. Since 1985, the Charity has awarded more than $44 million in scholarships to students who are exceptional role models.

"Through the scholarship program, RMHC makes a long-standing commitment to education while investing in future leaders," said Jennifer Blanchard Smith, senior director RMHC. "We encourage graduating high school seniors who face limited access to achieve their educational goals to apply today." The selection criteria for an RMHC scholarship include:

• The applicants must be younger than 21 years of age.
• Must carry a minimum 2.7 GPA.
• Be eligible to attend a two or four-year College, university of technical school with a full time course of study following their high school graduation.
• Reside in a participating local Chapter's geographic area.

Additional information and instructions on how to apply can be found at http://rmhc.org/what-we-do/rmhc-u-s-scholarships/. The deadline for the 2013 RMHC Scholarship program year is December 20, 2012, and all mailed back-up documents must be postmarked by the same date. 

The U.S. scholarship program is one way in which RMHC provides stability and vital resources to more than 4.5 million children and families every year around the world. Through its 318 Ronald McDonald Houses, 167 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and 48 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, the Charity plays an active role in ensuring that families have the resources they need to keep their child healthy and happy.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 57 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC) or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.