St. Vincent de Paul Society (Phoenix Conference) helps Students with College Costs

Every young person deserves the chance for a bright future.

Sadly, we live in a time, where financially, a college education may not be a possibility.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix is working to help ease that burden for young adults living in their area.

In 2001, the SVdP Phoenix Council Board of Directors established the “One at a Time” scholarship program, an educational financial aid program that supports motivated students who, even with the help of loans, scholarships and grants, struggle to afford a college education.

In order to select deserving students, Phoenix Vincentians make a home visit to selected high school counselors in economically disadvantaged areas each year.

The counselors identify students they believe deserve the scholarship and the Vincentians then discuss with them, in detail, the profile for each student. They look for ability, motivation and need.

Over the years, high school counselors have become so familiar with the “One at a Time” program that they know the type of student Vincentians look for in a recipient. According to Terry Wilson, founder of the “One at a Time” scholarship program, “It is very rare than we reject a student in our interview process.”

Students who receive the “One at a Time” scholarship would otherwise not be able to attend college.

According to Wilson, top scholastic students are not considered for the “One at a Time” scholarship. “In Arizona there is a program that pays their tuition,” he said. “In addition, they will qualify for other scholarships based on GPA.”

While the “One at a Time” program may seem like any other scholarship program, it has many unique qualities that set it apart.

There is no staff involved. All the administrative costs needed for the program are donated by a volunteer committee, so all of the money raised goes directly to the students who need it.

Recipients are assigned a mentor who is a member of the Phoenix SVdP. Mentors generally come from a student’s home Conference, making it easy for the pair to stay connected.