EXPANDING IMPACT
2015
Meritus is named a“ Bright Spot” by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, an honor bestowed on fewer than 250 organizations nationally. In an effort to reach more underserved populations within San Francisco, Meritus accepts Scholars from targeted parochial schools for the first time.
2016
Meritus celebrates our 20th anniversary! We are recognized as the 2016 Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association. To ensure that even more talented young people have access to our program, Meritus begins serving Scholars from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Jordan didn’ t realize how much he would have to do between the time he was accepted to the University of San Francisco and his first day of class. Because he’ s the first in his family to attend college, Jordan relied on Meritus to help him navigate this crucial time of transition.
With the help of Meritus’ comprehensive onboarding workshops and his staff advisor, Jordan learned how to interpret his financial aid package, navigate campus resources, and plan for the beginning of college. Meritus also gave Jordan the push he needed to sign up for a summer bridge program at USF, an experience that helped him find his community on campus.
Jordan had one big takeaway from the summer bridge program: College is what you make of it. In his first semester, that meant getting involved in campus groups like the Latinx student union and his residence hall council. In the future, it will mean further exploring his interests in medicine and community service, while continuing to inspire friends and family in his hometown of Redwood City.
“ Meritus’ support and encouragement pushed me, and that put me in the right place at the right time.”
Jordan Sandoval Future Graduate: University of San Francisco Major: Biology
5