Author James Patterson partners with Ben Carson to launch scholarship program for students

A $600,000 donation from best-selling author James Patterson will help high school graduates pursue a college education.

In partnership with the Carson Scholars Fund, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that recognizes students who strive for academic excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities, the longtime Palm Beach resident has launched the Patterson HBCU Scholarship pilot program.

Open to Carson Scholars who are graduating high school beginning in 2024 and planning to attend a historically Black college or university (HBCU), the program provides a $5,000 scholarship award to be used toward tuition, room, board and/or books.

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Scholars will have the option to renew the award for three consecutive academic years, provided they continue to meet the program requirements.

“I’m thrilled to launch this new partnership with the Carson Scholars Fund, a program that understands the value of education and shares my belief in the role literacy plays in bettering the lives of young people, their families, and their communities," Patterson said in a statement. "I’m looking forward to seeing what these students achieve in the future.”

The Carson Scholars Fund, founded in 1994 by retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy, has distributed more than 11,000 scholarships to students around the country. Carson served as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration.

Scholarship winners have attended more than 860 colleges and universities, and have been awarded nearly $9 million in funds to help finance their education, according to the organization.

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Patterson's contribution to the fund demonstrates his commitment to education and literacy, Carson said.

The author, whose mother was a teacher for 50 years, has given millions of dollars to help teachers around the country build their classroom libraries and provide scholarships to students in dozens of colleges.

“James Patterson’s commitment and generosity towards education and literacy is unrivaled," Carson said. "We are grateful that he has chosen to partner with the CSF to further educational opportunities for our scholars who choose to attend a HBCU.”

Eligible Carson Scholars will be provided with a Patterson HBCU Scholarship application and deadlines for consideration, according to a release. Winners will be announced May 15, 2024.

For information, visit carsonscholars.org/pattersonhbcu/.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Author James Patterson launches HBCU scholarship program