The Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship Program (DMCSP) helps students over the first hurdle of a college education - paying for the first year. That boost generally gives kids the momentum they need to stay in the race and finish with a future.

Since its inception in 1981, DMCSP has awarded more than $5.4 million in last-dollar scholarships to 5,626 students. For many recipients, college would not have been possible without DMCSP.

"We work to make a difference in the lives of our youth, and we have been successful," said Dr. Donald Thompson, executive director of DMCSP. "Last year, every student who applied for our help and who was eligible for our help received our help. That means hundreds of kids made it to college last year as a direct result of DMCSP."

In 1999-2000, DMCSP reached more than 600 students in 17 high schools and five private and parochial schools in Montgomery County, including:

• Brookville Local School District
• Centerville City School District
• Dayton City School District
• Huber Heights City School District
• Jefferson Township Local School District
• Kettering City School District
• Mad River Local School District
• Miamisburg City School District
• New Lebanon Local School District
• Northridge Local School District
• Oakwood City School District
• Trotwood-Madison City School District
• Vandalia-Butler City School District
• Valley View Local School District
• West Carrollton City School District

In additional to providing financial help, DMCSP counselors work with high school students beginning in their junior year, offering admissions information, financial aid booklets and a guide to scholarships. A newly launched scholarship resource center is open evenings and Saturdays to assist with FAFSA filing and scholarship searches. DMCSP also has developed brochures that are distributed to elementary and middle school students through Junior Achievement, introducing children to a world of opportunities at a young age.

"Our programs are open to every student in Montgomery County, but we especially want to reach at-risk children," Thompson said. "We do that through an innovative partnership with the OKIOS Community Development Corporation, and also through one-on-one counseling."

The personal and financial assistance yield results, both short- and long-term. Consider:

• 97 percent of the 1996 recipients are attending college full-time
• 51 percent of 1993 recipients are employed full time in their field of study
• 53 percent of 1993 recipients are employed in the Dayton area

"College is a dream that pays off for everyone," Thompson said, "for the student, for his family, for Ohio and for the nation. We owe it to ourselves to see that everyone has a chance at a brighter future."

For more information on the Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship Program (DMCSP), write to:

Dr. Donald R. Thompson
Executive Director
Dayton/Montgomery Scholarship Program
2300 Kettering Tower
Dayton, OH 45423

Phone: 937-225-9952
Fax: 937-222-0636
E-mail: kpoe@dmcsp.org
Web site: www.Montgomery.k.12.us/dmcsp

College Access Program Map