Heckscher Scholar Jocelyn Rendon Pascual Receives Her Diploma from Vassar College

Heckscher Scholars is a multi-dimensional college access program for students from under-resourced public high schools housed at the Heckscher Foundation for Children headquarters in New York City. It provides individualized academic guidance, college and financial aid counseling, and a multitude of opportunities and support to students from disadvantaged communities. Heckscher Scholars guides its students towards the greatest path out of poverty, a college education, opening doors to competitive four-year private colleges and a higher education that will have a catalytic impact on their future.

SCHOLAR VOICES

“After a bit of reflection, I truly believe that Heckscher Scholars Program provided me with the necessary resources to prepare me for my undergraduate transition into Skidmore. My time management skills really started developing at Heckscher and helped me push myself to be responsible and take initiative. The Heckscher staff really wants to understand your situation and your education & career goals in meaningful conversations. Heckscher provided a space for me to breathe in and out all my questions or concerns about college. When I left those weekly meetings at Hecksher, I always felt confident in myself and knew that I was capable of succeeding as a Scholar. The Heckscher Scholars Program was there for all my academic and career-building needs, even when I did not realize that I needed it, and I think that is what makes the program unique and impactful.”

– Jeo Bravo

Heckscher Scholar 2019; Skidmore College

SCHOLAR VOICES

“I am always grateful for Heckscher and the support I received to tackle the beast that is college admissions. The past four years, I have been able to pursue so many opportunities, both academically and personally, to cultivate my mind and deepen my knowledge. I have met so many interesting people. I have read a lot and coded a lot. I am walking away from college with tools that’ll allow me to continue learning and be a student of life, for life. And I’ll always be thankful to Heckscher for sending me off on this journey.”

– Aisha Mann

Heckscher Scholar 2019; Barnard College

SCHOLAR VOICES

“I am now the Director of College Access and Success at Henry Street Settlement. I oversee a two-part program that supports students from their high school to their bachelors’ degree completion. We serve primarily first generation students of color in lower Manhattan. I’m actually in this career field largely because of my own experience at the Heckscher Foundation. Personally knowing how resource accessibility could drastically impact one’s future has influenced my decision to do the same for youth in my career now.”

– Tachrina Ahmed

Heckscher Scholar Class of 2019; Columbia Graduate School of Education; Middlebury College

95%

of Heckscher Scholars graduate college with a four-year degree.

$600K

of financial aid was received by the Heckscher Scholars Class of 2023

Boston
New York
Washington D.C.

Our scholars attended colleges in major cities

Congratulations Class of 2025!