FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Opening the door to higher education a bit wider for some economically disadvantaged Broward teens, BankUnited and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward, Inc. (BBBS) are creating the first-ever scholarship program geared for high school students enrolled in the  organization’s Broward mentoring program.

Traci Miller, founder and chair of BBBS’ Women on the Verge resource and fundraising group, announced that BankUnited has committed a total of $20,000 over the next two years to establish the BankUnited Legacy Scholarship Fund.  “When our students, or ‘Littles’ as they’re known, reach age 18, they officially age out of the BBBS program,” Miller said.  “They’ve had emotional support and guidance of a mentor to help shape their career dreams, but the program ends when many need the financial support to continue their education. Now, thanks to BankUnited, we can make a life-altering difference in students’ futures.”

The new scholarship fund will help BBBS participants with low family incomes access a host of higher education opportunities.  “Too often, bright, motivated young people from economically disadvantaged families have had little choice in shaping their education,” said Mary Harris, BankUnited’s senior vice president—marketing.  “We want to change that reality for as many Broward ‘Littles’ as possible, and Big Brothers Big Sisters is the ideal partner.”

The BankUnited Legacy Scholarship Fund’s mission also includes mentoring, said Miller, who is vice president of business development and marketing for Miller Construction Company in Fort Lauderdale.  The program creates new volunteer opportunities to assist students in transitioning to college or vocational courses, and to serve as a sounding board throughout their higher education years. “Through BankUnited’s funding and additional fundraising by Women on the Verge, we expect the total available for scholarships in 2014 will be in the $50,000 range,” Miller said.

BBBS will partner with Broward College, other colleges and universities and area technical and vocational schools to help make it possible for students to pursue a labor market-ready degree or certification.  High school students enrolled in BBBS of Broward’s program are eligible to apply for the scholarship.  Selection will be based on both merit and need, and recipients who continue to meet criteria will receive the scholarship throughout their higher education, Miller added.  The fund’s first scholarships will be awarded for Fall 2014 semesters.

When she founded Women on the Verge in 2012 to raise awareness of the BBBS mission, Miller said she hoped the informal group’s get-togethers “would be able to fund a few Little/Big mentorship matches for youngsters in grades K-12.”  More than 100 members with diverse backgrounds and ages have joined, with annual dues at $100, and their karaoke, bowling, boutique shopping, wine tasting and fun day on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis netted a surprising $33,000.  That funded 22 BBBS Little/Big matches for the 2013-14 school year.

“From now on, all proceeds from Women on the Verge events will flow to the BankUnited Legacy Scholarship Fund,” Miller explained.  “We’re always on the verge of doing even bigger and better things, and we welcome new members!”  She also encouraged men to support the effort, through contributions to the scholarship fund, or by volunteering as much-needed mentors.