Photo Caption: Pictured, left to right: John Collier, Youth Education Foundation member; Ashlan Brown (Columbia), scholarship recipient; Bethany Lay, Columbia State's executive for advancement and foundation executive director; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; and Chaz Molder, Youth Education Foundation member.

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Nov. 3, 2015) - - - A new scholarship has been established through the Columbia State Community College Foundation by the Youth Education Foundation. The scholarship will help more than 75 Maury County students who attend Columbia State this year.

"This scholarship shows support for what Tennessee Promise offers to our Maury County students," said Bethany Lay, Columbia State executive for advancement and executive director of the foundation. "The Columbia State Foundation is pleased to partner with the Youth Education Foundation."

The scholarship will provide up to $400 for books and fees not covered by Tennessee Promise. Financial aid will award the scholarship based on funds available and student need.

The YEF is a Tennessee nonprofit based in Columbia, dedicated to providing ways to encourage youth to complete high school and post-secondary education. As part of its overall mission, YEF seeks to reinforce the goals of Tennessee Promise and remove barriers that may prohibit students from seeking post-secondary education such as providing funds for costs and fees that are not covered by the state's scholarship program.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.