Stein Family Foundation

The Stein Family Foundation ASPIRE program was established to recognize and encourage talented and diverse students who may not qualify for existing scholarships. The program’s goal is to identify students who possess keen interests and capabilities within and beyond the standard school curriculum and to encourage the development of such interests into future careers. Any graduating high school student can be a recipient of an ASPIRE award. Academic excellence is not a pre-requisite. Although academic performance is one factor in selecting candidates it is not the main focus of the award. Students who display an exceptional skill or capability both inside and outside the classroom and who are dedicated to developing and expanding their abilities through continuing education are excellent candidates. Such skills may reflect any sport trade or academic study where additional training and education is available through an accredited institution. In addition community and school involvement especially in the promotion or demonstration of a candidate’s skill is a factor in the selection process. Each school is asked to establish a committee of teachers and staff to select candidates for each award. Once candidates have been selected the committee coordinates a meeting with members of the Stein Family Foundation to review each student’s qualifications and to select winners. With winners selected each school decides how and when they will announce and present the awards. Awarded funds must be applied against further education at an accredited post-secondary institution or trade school or for the purchase of equipment supplies etc. to support studies at such an institution. Currently the ASPIRE program is available at select schools within the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) in the province of Ontario Canada. The number of awards available at each school is determined based on school enrollment and existing scholarships bursaries and awards.