Updated: Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Solvay Pharmaceuticals has helped nearly 250 victims of cystic fibrosis (CF) participate in associates and bachelors programs this year.

The company’s SolvayCARES scholarship fund typically chooses 40 students for $2500, one-year scholarships that can be used toward post-secondary tuition. This year, however, the fund awarded $500 to every eligible applicant on top of the 40 winners.

Applicants were required to submit creative entries, such as essays or presentations. Scholarship winners were selected based on their entries, academic excellence, community involvement and ability to positively represent the cystic fibrosis community.

Dr. Stephen Hill, president of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, said the program intends to “support…young people in pursuing their dreams of higher education [and create] heightened awareness of CF.”

The scholarship fund, now in its seventeenth year, will also name one of the 40 scholarship awardees a Thriving Student Achiever based on a public vote. The winner will receive a $17,000 scholarship.

Laura Braun, 2008’s Thriving Student Achiever, said the prize “[helps her] stay focused on [her] education and health.”

Success in bachelors and associates program may allow students to prepare to tackle MBA programs and increase their earning potential. PayScale.com, a research company, says that average salaries for holders of MBA degrees ranged from $73,510 to $171,583 in 2008, depending on the field, position and years of experience.

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