Lay the Foundation. Break New Ground. Support the Class of 2028 Scholarship Fund this Giving Tuesday.
The Need
After decades of providing scholarships to NYC students, leadership transitions and limited funding opportunities have forced us to reduce our award amount for our new Class of 2028 students— and without renewed support, we will be unable to sustain the scholarship program beyond the current cycle.
Our Goal
We have set an ambitious benchmark of $280,000 over the next four years to build this fund to demonstrate that this program can be sustained and ensure that future generations of NYC students can rely on the scholarships we provide as they pursue postsecondary opportunity.
How You
Can Help
This Giving Tuesday, GCSA is inviting our community to help create a sustainable path to providing scholarships for NYC public school students. Your gift supports the launch of the Class of 2028 Scholarship Fund, helping ensure students can access postsecondary education, meaningful careers, and long-term financial stability. ​
Here are the ways you can help us break ground this Giving Tuesday:
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Be a Base Builder — Give $25+
Base Builders will be recognized on the GCSA website as an early supporter to our scholarship fund.
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Be a Foundation Setter — Give $100+
Foundation Setters will also be recognized on the GCSA website and in GCSA's FY26 Annual Report.
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Be a Groundbreaker — Give $250+
Groundbreakers will be recognized on the GCSA website, in the FY26 Annual Report, on GCSA social media the day after Giving Tuesday. Groundbreakers will also receive one complimentary ticket to our Annual Scholars Benefit in the spring.
About The Class of 2028 Scholarship Fund
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For nearly 70 years, GCSA has provided scholarships that help New York City public school students access postsecondary opportunities. Generations of donors made this possible by investing in young people who had the talent and drive to succeed, but not always the financial means. ​Today, that legacy is at risk.
The Class of 2028 Scholarship Fund was created to rebuild GCSA’s historic scholarship program and ensure that NYC public school students can continue to access meaningful financial support to invest in their futures.
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GCSA works to help close the postsecondary outcomes gap in New York City, where nearly 30% of public school students do not enroll in a college, vocational, or trade program. We support students regardless of GPA in identifying productive pathways after high school. Scholarships are one of the ways we support our students, helping reduce financial barriers, including often-overlooked costs such as housing, textbooks, meals, and access to reliable technology, which can prevent low-income students from enrolling in and completing college or postsecondary programs.
Our new GCSA Class of 2028 includes 60 students, all who meet income eligibility criteria. They will earn a $4,000 scholarship, awarded upon completion of our three-year mentorship program, to support any postsecondary program of their choice. Despite ongoing efforts to fundraise, we were forced this year to reduce our scholarship award from $9,000 to $4,000 due to limited funding. Without renewed philanthropic support, GCSA will be unable to sustain its scholarship program beyond the current three-year cycle.​
The Class of 2028 Scholarship Fund was created to protect access to postsecondary pathways for students who need it most. Help us lay the foundation for the future of our scholarship program this Giving Tuesday.
