Hamilton Senior Receives Full Scholarship Through QuestBridge
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Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy senior Bisneili Amaya has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame through the 2023 QuestBridge National College Match, a national program that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 50 of the nation’s best colleges.
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and furthers life opportunities. By recruiting, developing, and motivating these students — beginning in high school through college to their early career — QuestBridge aims to help talented students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.
Amaya was among 2,242 seniors of the Class of 2024 from throughout the nation who were recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients. The process included the selection of 6,683 finalists among more than 20,800 applicants to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with full four-year scholarships provided by colleges and universities, ensuring for these students and their families that an education at a top college is affordable. This is the highest number of Match Scholarship Recipients to date for QuestBridge.
“We are thrilled to welcome this historic community of QuestBridge Scholars,” said Ana Rowena Mallari, Co-Founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “Their achievements speak to their depth of intellect and character, and we know they will continue to dream big on their college campuses and beyond.”
The Match Scholarship is made up of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The Match Scholarship does not include loans or a parental contribution.
Amaya was matched with the University of Notre Dame, where she will attend starting Fall 2024. Founded in 1842 adjacent to South Bend, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university. Their 12% Fall 2022 acceptance rate placed the University of Norte Dame on par with some of the most competitive schools in the United States.
“Thank God for this amazing blessing. I matched! Mami, I got in! I got in! It was God's plan!” said Amaya upon receiving news of the scholarship.
The current No. 6 ranked student of Hamilton Preparatory Academy’s Class of 2024 has a 4.2 GPA and has been recognized as a College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. She has also earned scholarships for both the New York University College Access Leadership Institute and Collegiate Seminar programs.
This year’s Match Scholarship Recipients come from 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the territories of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2003, the QuestBridge National College Match has successfully connected over 14,500 students with full scholarships at college partners.
All Finalists who ultimately matriculate to QuestBridge college partners join the QuestBridge Scholars Network, which connects students to a community of like-minded peers. QuestBridge also provides enriching programs for its Alumni, including the opportunity to apply for full-tuition scholarships to top business schools through the Graduate School Match: MBA. The QuestBridge Scholars Network and Alumni Association now include over 25,000 current college students and graduates worldwide.
“Bisneili has excelled academically throughout her career at Elizabeth Public Schools, consistently appearing on the honor roll as she continues to challenge herself with a rigorous workload of several advanced placement courses,” stated Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “I am confident that her passion for learning and desire to contribute to her school community will be tremendous assets as she continues her educational journey at the University of Notre Dame.”
“Congratulations to Bisneili for this wonderful achievement of being awarded a full scholarship to the University of Notre Dame,” said Elizabeth Board of Education President Iliana Chevres. “On behalf of the Elizabeth Board of Education, I wish her great success and happiness during the rest of her senior year at Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy and at the University of Notre Dame.”