Braman Family Foundation Renews SupportAn incentive for students to enroll full-time during their last year and accelerate completion

The Braman Family Foundation has renewed its commitment with an additional $500,000 to support another 500 students to complete their studies at Miami Dade College (MDC) and Florida International University (FIU) during the 2018-2019 academic year.

In 2017, the Braman Family Foundation donated $1 million toward scholarships as an incentive for students to enroll full-time during their last year and accelerate completion. The Braman Scholarship awarded $1,000 to 500 MDC students and 500 FIU students. This fall, another 500 students in their final year of studies will be selected to receive scholarship funds.

In its first year, the Braman Scholarship was integral – helping the majority of these scholarship students graduate either this spring, summer or fall semester.

“We are so proud to see our scholarship support have a positive impact on students at Miami Dade College and Florida International University this year,” said Debi Wechsler, director of the Braman Family Foundation. “It gives us great pleasure to renew our support and do all we can to ensure Miami students have ample opportunities to succeed.”

“My completion scholarship helped pay for my tuition this year. It is so humbling to know that my community thinks it’s important to help me achieve my dream of owning my own technology company,” said Keionest Felder, an MDC computer engineering student who is graduating this year with his associate degree. “Thank you, Miami Dade College, for helping me get to the finish line and setting me on the right path.”

MDC’s wraparound services also played an integral role in providing the inaugural scholarship students with extra support to help them reach their educational goals. College advisors provided them with information and guidance related to their graduation requirements, course information, milestones and the transfer process.

“We are incredibly grateful the Braman Family Foundation has renewed its support for next year,” added Dr. Lenore Rodicio, executive vice president and provost at MDC. “A gift of $500 per semester really goes a long way to helping our students make ends meet, and we have seen such great results in the first year of this scholarship support. It is giving our students the extra boost they need to graduate and confidently enter the workforce.”

Learn more about how you can make a difference at www.mdcfoundation.com