AREA SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM GRANT FUNDS

PITTSBURGH, April 16-17, 2008 – Students from nine area schools will benefit from scholarship grant funds announced this week.

Sen. Jay Costa was joined by representatives of the Bridge Educational Foundation, U.S. Steel, Unison Health Plan and CSX Transportation to make the announcements.

A total of $40,000 was made possible through a donation by U.S. Steel through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. 

Teachers, families and students of the schools listed below attended to support the EITC program and to thank U.S. Steel and local legislators for their support of the EITC program.

The following schools will receive significant pre-kindergarten scholarships:

ABC's for Children - Pittsburgh
Ascension School - Homestead
Elizabeth Seton Center - Pittsburgh
Good Shepherd Christian Preschool - Monroeville
Monroeville United Methodist Preschool - Clairton
St. Clare of Assisi School - Clairton
St. Thomas A. Beckett - Clairton
Tender Care Learning Center - Bridgeville

Also receiving scholarship funds were students from Word of God School in Swissvale.  A total of $15,000 were donated by CSX Transportation and Unison Health Plan.

Pennsylvania's Pre-Kindergarten initiative provides companies with a tax credit equal to 100 percent of the first $10,000 contributed to a pre-kindergarten scholarship organization during the taxable year, and may receive a tax credit equal to 90 percent of any additional amount contributed during the year, up to a maximum of $100,000 per year.

"I'm very thankful and proud of the participation of these companies for their contribution to early childhood education," Costa said.  "Starting children with quality pre-kindergarten prepares them for a life of learning that results in responsible, productive adults."

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