( BLACK PR WIRE) ATLANTA, November 20, 2008 – The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants totaling $200,000 to four historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to provide scholarships for students who are the first in their immediate family to attend a college or university.

Ten students from each of the HBCUs selected – Alabama State University, South Carolina State University, Florida A&M University and Fisk University – will receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship to further their education.

“We know the impact that a college degree can have on the person receiving it, and we know that impact multiplies throughout their families and their communities,” said Ingrid Saunders Jones, chairperson of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “It is especially rewarding for us to play a major part in supporting students who are the first in their families to attend college and to invest in their education.”
In addition to being first generation college students, schools will select students for the scholarships based on their financial need, full-time enrollment status and GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Coca-Cola Announces Grants for HBCU

Earlier this year, Bennett College, another HBCU, also received a $50,000 grant for first generation college students on its campus. The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program has awarded more than $19 million to over 1,000 students on almost 400 campuses since 1993.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation
Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has contributed more than $265 million to help build sustainable communities worldwide. 

For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html.