Dozens of South Florida students were recognized with scholarships from the Burger King Foundation.
You can tell by the crowns on their heads -- the Burger King Foundation is behind the recognition.
Thirty students from Miami-Dade and Broward counties received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
“It’s the first scholarship I was awarded. It was nice, it was a ahhh type of feeling to receive it,” said Oldina Bigot.
“It really helps take off any financial burdens,” said Sarah De La Rosa.
“It is definitely a relief,” said scholarship recipient Gabrian Bell.
That relief comes as families in South Florida and across the country continue to deal with the rising cost of higher education.
“It is concerning at the moment. So many people have dreams they want to pursue but there’s an obstacle to go to college and enter into any fields they want to because there is a cost and there’s a price,” Bell said.
The Education Data Initiative found 85% of new undergraduates borrow money to pay for college, and the average borrower spends nearly 20 years paying it off.
New data from the Lumina Foundation and Gallup found more than half of student loan borrowers say their debt has delayed major life milestones.
“The scholarship journey is not for the weak but being able to be honored for all of the hard work that he’s done so far this year… is amazing,” said Felice Winston.
Parents and students say the scholarships are helping ease the burden as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
“This does help me a lot, financially. Since I am paying it by myself,” said Bigot.
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