Nonprofit group awards college $20,000 grant

The Student Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, awarded Flathead Valley Community College $20,000 for student financial aid.

Since 1999, the foundation has given the college nearly $75,000 and almost $2.2 million statewide.

Kelly Chapman of the foundation said that the nonprofit foundation returns the excess profit from its student loans to students through these grants to colleges.

"We love how you used your access grant," Chapman told college officials.

Last year's $17,000 grant helped students pay for child care while they attended classes.

The mission of the assistance foundation is to give students the knowledge and tools to finance and pursue postsecondary education. The group is based in Helena.

"I look forward to bringing bigger checks to Flathead County in the future," Chapman said.

College President Jane Karas said that the program really made a difference to students.