Every year US Federal Contractor Registration awards the Eric Knellinger Presidential Scholarship to one or more students. These scholarships are for $1,000 each and can be used to pay for any expense that comes with pursuing higher education. This year, we’re proud to announce our three recipients: Aidan Ashe, Anthony Cuozzo, and Samantha White.
"Getting the youth of our country to understand the way government works with businesses, I think, is extremely helpful," says USFCR President and CEO Eric Knellinger. The scholarship, which is in its second year of being issued, is not only meant to help pay school-related expenses but to also bring awareness of the many opportunities that are laid out by our own government.
In order to qualify, all three students were required to answer one of four essay questions provided by USFCR:
- How does the government work with government contractors?
- Which types of businesses are best positioned to receive and fulfill government contracts?
- What are some key factors business owners must keep in mind when deciding to become government contractors?
- Based on the last few years, what types of trends do you expect to see in available government contracts and opportunities?
Responses to these questions need to be at least 500 words in length. Besides that, and being currently enrolled or accepted into a college or university, there are no other requirements. This is a scholarship for any major the student wishes to pursue. This year, however, each one of the recipients is pursuing studies in the STEM fields.
What Sparks Their Interests
Both Aidan Ashe and Samantha White graduated from Palm Harbor University Highschool, and they will be attending St. Petersburg College. Aidan will be studying biomedical engineering, and Samantha has either pre-med or biology on her horizon.
For Aidan, his previous courses in engineering, along with the prospects of an ever-growing field of work, draw him toward biomedical engineering. Samantha says that there’s an excitement that she compares to an adrenaline rush regarding her interest in medicine.
Anthony Cuozzo graduated from Land O’ Lakes Highschool and will attend Florida State University. He looks to study neuroscience with his interest in the overall structure and function of the brain and how it communicates with other parts of the body.
Welcoming in the School Year
Like many other students this coming fall, the scholarship recipients fondly anticipate their greatest leap in education. Samantha finds the prospect of beginning college to be exciting enough. Aidan looks forward to tackling a new subject with a very specific scope.
Both are using the scholarship to pay for textbooks, with Aidan using a portion of it to pay for tuition. As for Anthony, he can’t wait to work in a lab and study under professors that are well-versed in neuroscience. He intends to use the scholarship to help pay for his room and board costs.
All three recipients are also involved with various extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Anthony Cuozzo plays basketball, baseball, and golf. Throughout his high school career, he has volunteered over 200 hours of work toward supporting the Troops. The foundation is dedicated to providing supplies for military personnel overseas.
Aidan, who has also shadowed at US Federal Contractor Registration, is an Eagle Scout and is involved with his Youth Group. Samantha has spent time volunteering to assist the elderly, and she was a soccer player.
Next Year's Scholarship
This is a great opportunity for students to not only receive funding for their education but to understand further a process that’s so heavily embedded in the fabric of our nation.
As mentioned before:
- The Eric Knellinger Presidential Scholarship is applicable to all majors.
- Students must be enrolled in or accepted into a two-year or four-year college/university.
- A 500-word response to one of the essay questions is required.
If you or a family member is interested in this scholarship, then keep an eye out for the next enrollment around January. At US Federal Contractor Registration, we congratulate these three on starting college and wish them the best of luck in their educational pursuits.
"They can go out, start something, and make something happen," says Eric Knellinger, "the American Dream is alive and well if they understand what's out there to assist them in becoming successful."
To speak with a Contracting Specialist, Call: (866) 216-5343
