James R. Johnston Scholarship Fund Provides Scholarships to Students

The Westchester Community College Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Westchester Community Foundation to establish the James R. Johnston Scholarship Fund. The donor, the late James R. Johnston, wished to ensure that youth had no barriers to graduating from a community college. Significant scholarships will be offered to financially needy full-time students at Westchester Community College. These awards will provide one-half the cost of tuition and an additional stipend to cover half the cost of textbooks.

Johnston understood that education is the doorway to economic stability in our communities, and he was especially interested in the success of students from Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Ossining (applicants from all parts of Westchester County municipalities will be considered for these scholarships). The awards will be automatically renewed for a second year, enabling students to graduate in a timely manner.

“We provide access to opportunity and are determined to help our students cross ‘the finish line’ and go on to jobs or transfer to four-year institutions,” says Belinda S. Miles, President, Westchester Community College. “This partnership with the Westchester Community Foundation through the Johnston Scholarships will help many in our community to achieve their dreams.”

Since 1969, the Westchester Community College Foundation has awarded more than $20 million to more than 16,000 students. But it strives to do even more. The college’s tuition remains among SUNY’s most affordable at $4,280 per academic year. Yet textbooks, transportation, and living expenses add to that total. For families with few or no resources these costs are almost impossible to cover, and can directly undermine student success.

“Since 2009, the Westchester Community Foundation has invested in innovative programs throughout Westchester to help young people achieve their goal of attending college. We are pleased to extend that support through Mr. Johnston’s generous legacy,” says Laura Rossi, Executive Director of the Westchester Community Foundation.

Through the generosity of its donors, the Westchester Community Foundation works to make Westchester a community that is just, compassionate, vibrant, and resilient.

Westchester Community College provides accessible, high quality and affordable education to meet the needs of our diverse community. We are committed to student success, academic excellence, workforce development, economic development and lifelong learning.

Recognizing that public education is a public responsibility, the Foundation raises private support to strengthen and enrich the educational life and environment of the college.

About Westchester Community College

Westchester Community College provides over 31,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the most affordable tuition rates in New York State. WCC offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Westchester Community College Foundation

Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing over $2 million in scholarships annually. Through its fundraising and programmatic activities, the Foundation supports the college’s efforts to provide access to quality education and skills for success.