Prior to 1989, the residents of Somerset County did not have access to local postsecondary education
because the nearest college was more than a SO-mile commute. The Somerset County Campus
Foundation tor Allegany College of Maryland was established to help students in Somerset County to
obtain postsecondary education through Allegany College of Maryland.
In January of 2017, Allegany College of Maryland announced that they will no longer hold classes in
Somerset except for the Early College Program. On March 9, 2017, the Articles of Amendment was filed
to change the foundation name to the Somerset County Foundation tor Higher Education. The foundation
board members feel that there is a great need to help Somerset County residents achieve a postsecondary
education within Somerset County whether it is in the high schools, the Somerset County
Technology Center, or an Educational Institution located at the Somerset Education Center. The
foundation is still committed to help high school students with the Early College Program offered by
Allegany College of Maryland.
The mission of the Somerset County Foundation tor Higher Education is a non-profit, fundraising
organization dedicated to furthering the post-secondary educational pursuits of Somerset County students
in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
The main goal of the Somerset County Foundation tor Higher Education is make post-secondary
education in Somerset County a reality regardless of a residents financial situation. The Foundation wants
residents to have the opportunity tor residents to achieve post-secondary education and acquired a self
and/or family sustaining wage after completion of their classes or program of study.
To date, the Foundation has awarded over $790,000 to nearly 4,000 students through scholarships and
Early College tuition assistance awards. A Foundation managed low-interest student loan program has
provided 57 students with a total of $494,579 in student loans through the George S. Cook Education
Fund.
Since 2009, the Foundation has assisted over 57 student through the George S. Cook Education Fund
with $462,656 in low-interest student loans.