Second Ellen & Joe Checota MATC Scholarship Program is Largest Scholarship Program in MATC History

Ellen and Joe Checota and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) announced the launch of the largest scholarship program in MATC history. The Second Ellen & Joe Checota MATC Scholarship Program will provide comprehensive support to students in need who are enrolled in the MATC trade and technical programs.

The Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program will provide $15 million for scholarships for MATC students who require trade and technical certificates and degrees in order to achieve meaningful employment or career advancement.

Ellen and Joe Checota will provide a $5 million gift and MATC will provide a $5 million contribution to fund the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program. Together these funds will serve as a two for-one $5 million matching challenge to the MATC Foundation and other donors. Each time funds that are donated to MATC through the MATC Foundation total $500,000 of the $5 million matching challenge, $500,000 of the Ellen and Joe Checota $5 million gift and $500,000 of the MATC $5 million contribution will be donated to the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program.

The MATC $5 million contribution is limited to $1 million per year.

The Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program is a comprehensive scholarship program that will fund the cost of tuition, books, supplies, meals, transportation and child care.

Like the $8.5 million Ellen & Joe Checota MATC Scholarship Program the Checotas established three and one-half years ago, the MATC trade and technical students who receive financial support from the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program will be able to achieve meaningful employment in a wide range of trade and technical occupations, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, medical and dental assistants, website developers, property managers, welders and auto mechanics.

The Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program will place special emphasis on employment opportunities that are associated with manufacturing and construction.

The funds of the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program will be last dollar funds. All state, federal and other available financial support must be exhausted before the funds of the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program are utilized.

MATC students must maintain a C average and earn 9 credits each semester to qualify for the continuation of financial support from the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program.

MATC will administer the distribution of the funds of the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program to qualified MATC trade and technical students.

In announcing the $5 million MATC contribution and $5 million Ellen and Joe Checota gift, MATC President Anthony Cruz said, “As we look to the future of the Milwaukee Area Technical College, the Second Ellen & Joe Checota MATC Scholarship Program is about honoring a legacy while investing in possibility. This scholarship opens doors for students who have the talent and determination to succeed but need financial support to stay on their path. When we sustain opportunities like this, we change lives, strengthen families and build a more vibrant Milwaukee for generations to come”.

Joe Checota said, “Ellen and I established our two MATC scholarship programs to provide financial support to our fellow Milwaukee citizens who need a leg up to improve their lives and the lives of their families. The First Checota MATC Scholarship Program helped change the lives of 1,200 greater Milwaukee residents and their families, and we believe the Second Checota MATC Scholarship Program will help change the lives of an additional 2,500 greater Milwaukee residents and their families.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.