Allyson Martinez and Diana Velez were both named as the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship finalists. This competitive program connects high-achieving seniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with full four-year scholarships at prestigious universities, offering them the opportunity for early admission.

Allyson says, "Being named a finalist for the opportunity to receive a generous scholarship from a college of my choice is very relieving for my family and I even though I still have a lot to do before November 1st. To me it means that I am many steps closer, after putting in months of work, to getting into a college that is the right fit for me."

Diana says “Being named a finalist for the opportunity to receive a generous scholarship from a college of my choice is very relieving for me and my family. It means that I am many steps closer, after putting in months of work, to getting into a college that is the right fit for me.”

Allyson and Diana now wait with anticipation to hear if they will receive a match. Finalists who do not receive a match can still apply through Questbridge Regular Decision for regular admission and a generous financial aid package.

In the 2022-2023 school year, over 17,000 students applied for the program, with just 1,750 chosen to receive scholarships, including two SMA seniors! 

Founded in 1994, QuestBridge is a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities. By working with these students — from high school through college to their first job —QuestBridge aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation’s best colleges and supporting them to succeed in their careers and communities.