In honor of Steve’s mother, who passed away when he was in high school, SFF created The Brenda Wilson Scholarship Program. Brenda’s dedication to Steve’s education and her dream for him to attend college serves as his inspiration to help students overcome financial hurdles so that they too may fulfill their dreams.
For the first eight years of the program, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston had exclusively nominated candidates for the $10,000 awards. Steve strongly believes that his involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs and connection to mentors through the Clubs while growing up in Takoma Park, Maryland positively influenced his path in life. Therefore, he places a high value on proven dedication to the community. In 2013, The Steve Francis Foundation expanded its applicant pool to also include nominations from Coaches, Teach for America Corps Members, KIPP Houston High School, Pro-Vision and YesPrep teachers. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment in the community and exude leadership, character, and academic commitment.
Since 2004, sixty-five (65) scholarships totaling $650,000 have been awarded. With continued support from the community, The Steve Francis Foundation is devoted to keeping Brenda’s memory alive by awarding The Scholarships for years to come.
Financial Aid Advice from SFF Scholars
Eric Griffin
2005 Recipient, Graduate of Oklahoma University, Petroleum Engineering Major
“Start looking for financial aid opportunities as soon as possible and never be afraid to apply for something you don’t thing you quite qualify for. There are lots of scholarships that go unclaimed due to not enough people applying for them. Juniors focus hard on the PSAT. There is a lot of financial aid and scholarships associated with doing well on the test.”
Alex Oritz
2011 Recipient, Graduate of University of Houston, Sports Administration Major
“There is nothing sweeter then to graduate from college without being in debt. Seeking financial assistance through grants or scholarships is something that everyone should try to take advantage of . Avoid loans as much as possible as the average student loan debt after graduation is about $26,000 to $35,000.”
Melissa Perez
2008 Recipient, Graduate of University of St. Thomas, Child Psychology
“Stay away from loans. I took any grants from FAFSA and any other scholarships from my school or any other alternative scholarships. Also, it is important to fill out the FAFSA as soon possible and make sure the information is sent to the school. Lastly, keeping up with your grades.”
Kiara Pruitt
2009 Recipient, Graduate of Texas State University, Communications Major
“Make sure your aid is covering all your classes before the class date. This will ensure that none of your classes get dropped. If you do not need loans do not take them, especially unsubsidized because those start accumulating interest while you are still in school. Double check everything when filling out your FAFSA it may take time but even the simplest mistake like a letter in your name or a misplaced number can be all they need to deny or delay your aid.”
Michelle Sanders-Limonthas
2005 Recipient, Graduate of Amherst College, Biology Major
“The best way to pursue scholarships is to pursue three things…1) community service, 2) specializations and 3) good grades. Good grades are important because the organization that is supplying the scholarship wants to know that their money will be a good investment. Consequently, having good grades will assist you when completing for scholarships against other students. In addition to good grades, it is important for you to specialize in something that you enjoy. What makes you different from everyone else? Why should the scholarship committee remember you? Lastly, community service shows that you realize the importance of helping others.”
The Steve Francis Foundation Scholars
27 scholars and counting
The roster
UpdatedAlex Ortiz
After recently celebrating his 20th birthday, Alex received a letter from Sportek Events to represent America in an International Basketball Tournament. Sportek Events is a long…
Alexis DeWalt
In pursuit of her dream to become a pharmacist, DeWalt made Dean’s list for the second year in a row, and hopes to serve others, especially the youth and elderly, with her degree.…
Angie DeWalt
Our 2012 Scholar Angie DeWalt is starting her junior year at the University of Houston. Angie plans to graduate in 2016 with a degree in chemistry and then continue to follow her…
Brittney Gantz
In the Capital Markets department, she analyzes and posts payments that the bank receives for deals made with Farmers and additional top food industry companies. In order to obtain…
Emmanuel Igbinosa
Emmanuel graduated from Stanford in 2010 with degrees in Management Science and Engineering and accepted a job with Google in Product Quality. This past February he was promoted to…
Eric Griffin
Griffin graduated in December 2009 with a Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduation, Eric resumed his work at BP with a promotion from Intern…
Erick Castillo
Erick Castillo graduated from KIPP Houston High School in 2013 and recently completed his first year of college at the University of Texas. Erick’s love and passion for math &…
Gavin Sanchez
After his first semester at The George Washington University, Gavin Sanchez gained admittance into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. This prestigious program recognizes…
Gene McGowan
Gene graduated from Southern University in 2009 with a Business Management degree. After college graduation, Gene worked for a small business that specialized in custom printing…
Greg Jones Jr.
2021 Scholarship Recipient
Jackie Garcia
We are excited to celebrate Jackie Garcia, our 15th Scholar to earn her college degree. A 2009 Recipient, Jackie graduated in December from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor…
Jeffery Whittaker
Jeffery attended Humble High School and was awarded The Steve Francis Foundation Scholarship in 2011. He played all four years on the high school football team’s offensive line…
Jessica Rivas
Recently, Jessica volunteered for WindAid and visited Peru to improve wind turbines and electricity. WindAid is a social entrepreneurship project that provides wind turbines to…
Joe Ivory III
Joe graduated in May 2010 with a business degree from Prairie View A&M University. He plans on going to back to school to get his masters and is currently taking GMAT courses…
Joshua Collins
Joshua finished his spring semester with 3A’s and 2B’s and then completed his final class this summer. He worked hard to complete his degree while he was working overnight-stocking…
Kendrick Babineaux
Kendrick has returned to Houston and is preparing to take the GRE. He is currently looking for the right graduate program in the Houston area, so he can be closer to his family. He…
Kiara Pruitt
HealthyCats Peer Education is a school organization that presents a variety of health topics on common situations that college students deal with on a daily basis. These situations…
Maria Perez
Maria Perez, one of our 2013 Scholars, was selected as The Steve Francis Foundation’s Most Likely to Pull All-Nighters.
Mary Ann Rodriguez
Mary Ann was awarded the Scholarship in 2006 and grew up volunteering at the Holthouse Boys and Girls Club in Houston. She overcame many obstacles and was the first in her family…
Melissa Perez
Melissa has maintained a tradition of academic excellence, making the Dean’s List a running total of six out of seven semesters, most recently during the Fall 2011 semester. She…
Michelle Sanders-Limonthas
Michelle’s motivation in life has always been to help people and she has found that satisfaction through teaching, science, and community involvement. Michelle Sanders graduated…
Miles Dotson
NOW Miles Dotson graduated from University of Miami in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He currently lives in Oakland, CA and is the founder and managing…
Savannah Winters
Royal Interactive Studios is a web content, film, TV, commercial, and music video production company. Clients of the company include Best Buy, Google, Fox, Ray Ban, and Pepsi. As a…
Stephanie Montalvan
2014 Scholar Stephanie Montalvan is wrapping up her freshman year at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she’s studying to be a Chemical Engineer. Never one to stay idle, the…
Tashara Parker
As a child, Tashara dreamed of becoming a forensic scientist, but after one class at Texas A&M, she decided that was not the path for her. She quickly shifted her focus to a…
Treavon Tryon
Service to his community and personal development continue to be the driving forces for 2014 Scholar Treavon Tryon. Preparing to complete his first year at Texas A&M, the High…
Warnessa Freeman
A 2007 Recipient, Warnessa Freeman graduated in May of 2011 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information and Operations Management with a…