McDonald's restaurant employees eligible for $2,500 scholarships at CCAC

Students at the Community College of Allegheny County who work at McDonald’s restaurants can apply for up to $2,500 a year in scholarship money under the Archways to Opportunity program.

McDonald’s workers who have been employed for at least 90 days and who work a minimum of 15 hours a week are eligible.

Scholarship amounts have increased from $700 a year to $2,500 a year for crew members and from $1,050 to $3,000 a year for managers.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, CCAC Vice President of Workforce Development Theresa Bryant and Partner4Work Chief Program Officer McCrae Martino joined in making the announcement last month at the North Side McDonald’s.

Over the next five years, McDonald’s will invest $150 million to give restaurant employees more money for college and more flexibility to study and work at the same time. The corporation is also expanding the Career Online High School and College Advisory Services to restaurant employees’ family members.

Alycia Bencloski-Brashear of CCAC’s Workforce Development Division meets with out-of-school youth at nonprofit agencies to help them pursue their educational and career goals.

“A lot of us had our first jobs in the fast food industry,” said Bencloski-Brashear. “This is a great opportunity. We just need to get the word out.”

For more information about the Archways to Opportunity program, go to archwaystoopportunity.com.

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary Ann at 724-226-4691, mthomas@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaThomas_Trib.