Grossmont College Students Receive InVEST Scholarships

InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded scholarships to three Grossmont College students pursuing insurance-related degrees.

Marcia Berger and Kathy Austin of Grossmont College both received $500 scholarship as part of the Classroom to Career Program. Kim Casillas, also of Grossmont, received a $500 general scholarship.

“InVEST congratulates Marcia Berger, Kathy Austin and Kim Casillas for being among the 54 students representing 20 schools from six states who earned scholarships this year,” says Heather Minkler, chair of the National InVEST board of directors and CEO of Clark-Mortenson Agency, an independent insurance agency in Keene, N.H. “Each year, InVEST develops future industry professionals by educating high school and community college students about insurance, risk management and financial services. Graduates from more than 200 InVEST programs across the country are armed with knowledge to help them pursue careers in an agency, company or other insurance industry organization.”

The Classroom to Career scholarship is new this year and is for students who would like to enter the insurance industry immediately after graduating from InVEST. These students are eligible for $500 reimbursement for licensing or designation expenses.

Grossmont College, in El Cajon, Calif., is among the more than 200 community colleges and high schools across the country with InVEST programs. The program has been operating for years with the support of local agents and brokers.

Scholarship candidates submit essays describing the influence and benefits InVEST had on their educational plans. The quality of the essay, combined with the applicant’s grade-point average and extracurricular activities, were factors in selecting the recipients. Scholarship checks are mailed directly to the institute of higher learning that each student is attending and will be used exclusively for educational expenses.

“Continuing growth and success of the InVEST program is critical not only to the future of the independent agency system, but to the insurance industry as a whole,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) president & CEO. “With the average age of an insurance professional around 54, the InVEST program has the potential to replenish our workforce during a critical time in our industry.”

Nationally, this year InVEST awarded $47,500 in scholarships to 54 students pursuing insurance-related degrees. The 2011 scholarship winners represent 20 schools and hail from California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska and New York. This year, 101 scholarship hopefuls from across the country submitted essays.

Click HERE for a complete list of scholarship winners.

Along with direct contributions, scholarships are funded through proceeds generated by the InVEST Silent and Live auctions held in conjunction with the annual Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. This year, the Young Agents Committee (YAC), the association’s young professionals organization, sponsored a successful casino night fundraiser titled “YAC Gives Back: A Benefit for InVEST Scholarships” in conjunction with the annual event. Auction items were donated by insurance carriers, agents and brokers, the Big “I” and its state affiliates and other industry organizations.

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