College scholarships available to Detroit students through the Coleman A. Young Foundation

DETROIT - The Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF) is accepting applications for the prestigious 2012 CAYF Scholars Program. The Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who are Detroit residents, attending a Detroit public, private or parochial school, a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and demonstrates financial need.

“This year we are celebrating 30 years of providing opportunities for Detroit’s youth for higher education,” said Claudette Y. Smith, Executive Director. “We are encouraging all Detroit’s graduating seniors to apply for the CAYF Scholars Program.”

Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Applications can be found at www.cayf.org.

In its 30th year, CAYF continues to celebrate the legacy of Coleman A. Young by annually providing scholarships to Detroit students. The CAYF Scholars Program is supported by individual and corporate sponsors. College scholarships are $20,000, up to $5,000 per year, over four years to attend an accredited four-year college or university in Michigan or an accredited four-year historically black college or university nationwide.

CAYF’s unique mentoring program, which maintains close contact with scholars throughout their college experience, is a major factor in its continuing success rate of having its scholarship recipient’s graduate from college. Ninety (90) percent of Coleman A. Young scholars have earned their degree over the past 29 years.

“We are delighted to continue supporting our students and honoring the legacy of Coleman A. Young,” said CAYF Board President, Marvin Beatty. “We firmly believe that we are supporting the leaders of tomorrow.”


The Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF), established in 1982, is a living legacy of the late Mayor’s lifetime of service. Mayor Young willed his assets to the Foundation to provide opportunities for the future generations in the city that was his life. The mission of CAYF is to develop future leaders in Detroit. The Coleman A. Young Foundation (www.cayf.org) is a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit organization.