Whose ready for school to start? With the 2015-2016 school year right around the corner, some students are busy gathering school supplies, planning out their classes or enjoying the final bits of summer. However, while these are the more straightforward elements of school year preparation, many students across the country must additionally plan how to best finance their education. With the average student debt sitting at approximately $28,400 per borrower, this is often no simple task.
In an attempt to lessen student debt, and to help Colorado State University (CSU) attract the “best and the brightest” students from the local area, The Group Inc. chooses to provide one scholarship, equivalent to full in-state tuition, each year to an incoming freshman who graduated from either a Larimer County or Windsor high school and who possesses business leadership goals. With that said, we’re pleased to introduce you to Matthew Hazen, this year’s scholarship recipient!
Matthew is a recent Loveland High School graduate with plans to major in Business Administration at Colorado State University (CSU) in the fall. To Matthew, receiving this award is an honor and a tremendous financial blessing, allowing him to affordably jump start his college career.
Having grown up in Loveland, Co., Matthew has always loved residing so close to the beautiful Rocky Mountains and has enjoyed all of the recreational activities they have to offer. In addition, he thoroughly appreciates the city’s small town culture.
During his high school years here, our scholarship recipient embraced his AP classes, the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) program and competitive sports. His senior year he served as a DECA State officer, president of the Loveland High School Business Student Advisory Council, and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
In his free time, Matthew enjoys being with friends, playing basketball, frisbee golf, wake boarding, snowboarding, working out, reading and participating in other outdoor activities. He also is in the midst of starting a water bottle company with three friends which features new technology in its design.
In order to be considered for the The Group Inc. Scholarship, Matthew was first accepted into the CSU School of Business. He then filled out the Colorado State Scholarship Common Application which was sent to The Group Inc., and a formal TGI committee interview was scheduled.
“I feel I was a good candidate for this award because of my background in business and my leadership skills that I have developed throughout high school. I challenged myself in high school by taking rigorous Advanced Placement classes and positioned myself in my roles of leadership at my school,” explained Matthew.
As for future plans, Matthew intends on owning his own advertising agency which would work with professional athletes, celebrities and major corporations. Ultimately, he wishes to continue to grow his business, give back and change the world along the way.
“Right now I am most excited for my business classes to begin. Learning more about what I am so passionate about is going to be amazing, and getting to develop who I am as a young businessman is extremely exciting to me,” expressed Matthew, who would love nothing more than to be able to remain in the area post-graduation.
Congratulations, Matthew! The Group Inc. wishes you much success in all of your endeavors!
The Group Scholarship has been awarded to 20 local high school seniors since 2000. To be selected, recipients are required to be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate students in the College of Business at Colorado State University, have an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and demonstrate involvement in community activities.
Applications are then reviewed by a committee of The Group Inc. partners, and the finalists are each invited to an interview by the committee, who ultimately selects the winner. Applications are available from area high school counseling offices or online. The deadline to submit an application for next year’s award is March 1, 2016.
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