From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Syracuse Students Receive $300K in Equitable Excellence Scholarships Through Local Effort to Expand College Access

Historically, financial challenges and a lack of career guidance have made it difficult for many students in Syracuse to navigate and achieve a college education. A partnership between the Syracuse College Attainment Network (SCAN) and Equitable Foundation is helping local students overcome these challenges through the Equitable Excellence Scholarship program.

On June 10, this partnership reached an important milestone. 15 students from SCAN partner programs were awarded $300,000 through the Equitable Excellence Scholarship program. The recognition celebrates the achievements of the students, and the power of a community committed to reimagining opportunity. These awards signal the growing impact of coordinated, community-based investment in youth and build on the ongoing work of SCAN since its launch as a collaborative initiative in 2024.

SCAN is committed to enhancing college access and success for youth in Syracuse, and the Central New York Community by addressing systemic barriers through the support of educators, community organizations, and funders.

“Through this collaborative effort we are maximizing our resources to ensure we have the greatest impact possible,” said Ahmeed Turner, Executive Director of Say Yes Syracuse and SCAN Executive Committee Member. “We’re not just celebrating scholarships; we’re shifting what’s possible for the next generation.”

In just one year, SCAN has:
– Grown to seven committed cross-sector partners aligned under a shared vision
– Empowered student-led advocacy, including representation in Washington, D.C.
– Created career-connected learning and internship pipelines for students in grades 9–12
– Increased awareness and access to funding opportunities, including national scholarships

In alignment with Equitable’s own mission of helping people secure their financial well-being so that they can pursue long and fulfilling lives, the Equitable Excellence Scholarship empowers each student’s ongoing development so they can continue to positively impact their community.

This year’s scholarship recipients received a $5,000 renewable scholarship for all four years of their undergraduate study, for a total of $20,000 in financial support. Scholarship recipients also received special access to workshops centered around financial wellness, mental wellness and crucial professional leadership and development sessions tailored to support resume building and personal branding.

Ahmad Alawaad, a rising sophomore at Syracuse University and a student of SCAN partner Eerie 21, shared how receiving the 2024 Equitable Excellence Scholarship is shaping his future: As a first-year college student, the scholarship has eased my financial burdens a lot. But it’s more than that—you also have meetings where you get to connect with executives. I met with the CEO of Equitable, and he taught me the importance of putting myself out there. Because oftentimes, it’s not just what you know—it’s who you know.”

Stephanie Joncas, Social Impact Partnership Manager, Equitable Foundation noted “Helping Equitable Excellence winners in the Central New York area achieve this level of success is an amazing milestone for SCAN– but the real story is the power of partnership. Through SCAN, we’re not only opening doors for individual students to achieve a postsecondary education; we’re building a stronger sense of community and working across silos to support developing scholars at each step.”

Looking ahead, SCAN is focused on deepening support for students by understanding their lived experiences, identifying gaps and opportunities within the surrounding ecosystem, and expanding its network of cross-sector partners dedicated to building a more equitable pathway to college and beyond.

About SCAN
The Syracuse College Attainment Network (SCAN) is a collaborative initiative committed to increasing access to college and postsecondary success for youth in Syracuse and Central New York. SCAN was launched in 2024 with joint funding from the Central New York Community Foundation and Equitable Foundation, whose investment made possible the network’s strategic alignment, coordination, and launch. Facilitated by RAW Consulting, SCAN engages educators, community organizations, and funders in breaking down systemic barriers to educational opportunity.