Farmingdale State College (FSC) has announced that Strain Stars, the nation's highest grossing retail cannabis dispensary, has made a $100,000 gift to the Farmingdale State College Foundation to establish the Strain Stars New Hour Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to current and prospective FSC students of incarcerated parents.  

New Hour for Women and Children Long Island, a Brentwood-based non-profit that provides support to currently incarcerated women, their children, and families, has partnered to assist in the administration of the program, working closely with students and families as recipients of the scholarships. The funding will support scholarships to college-bound children affected by incarceration, who are eligible students accepted or currently enrolled at Farmingdale State College. In addition to tuition and fees, scholarships may include funding for meal plans, books, transportation, and housing for up to four consecutive years of full-time enrollment pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the college, or completion of an associate's degree or certificate program, up to two years. 

“We are proud to establish the Strain Stars New Hour Endowed Scholarship at Farmingdale State College. This scholarship will make a meaningful difference in the lives of students affected by incarceration,” said Jasmin Singh, chief financial officer of Strain Stars. “It reflects our commitment to social equity, higher education, and empowerment. In partnership with New Hour, we will also provide support systems to help the students navigate challenges and reach their full potential.” 

"As a non-profit that works with justice-impacted mothers we know that incarceration impacts the whole family,” said Serena Martin, executive director of New Hour for Women & Children LI. “Often impacted children do not have the means to pursue higher education. This scholarship will reduce the stigma of parental incarceration, giving students the needed opportunity to thrive beyond their parent's incarceration, for which they should never be punished." 

"This gift truly personifies the beauty and power of philanthropy, with a scholarship that has the potential to change lives and offer the transformation that education delivers to help our students unleash their full potential,” said Matthew Colson, vice president of development and alumni engagement for FSC. “We couldn't be prouder to partner with Strain Stars and New Hour and be entrusted with this great responsibility in service to our shared community." 

For more information about the the Strain Stars New Hour Endowed Scholarship please visit: www.farmingdale.edu/strainstars. 

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