Bank grants scholarship to outstanding citizen

PROVIDENCE – Austin Faria of Riverside is the second prize winner of Citizens Bank’s annual TruFit Good Citizen Scholarship program. As a result, he has received a $1,000 scholarship for the fall semester at the University of Rhode Island. The scholarship is awarded in time to provide funding for the upcoming academic period as Faria returns to school from summer vacation.
As an Eagle Scout, Faria served three years as the senior patrol leader and volunteered hundreds of hours of community service. At his high school, he co-founded the Townie Volunteer Corps and served as treasurer. The club hosted a pasta dinner this spring to raise money to help fund the purchase of a wheelchair convertible van for fellow student who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The bank created the scholarship to recognize and reward students whose volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact. The winners were chosen based on responsibility and leadership skills. More than 5,000 applications were received. In addition to the $1,000 second prize scholarship awarded to Faria, one winner receives a grand prize scholarship of $5,000, four winners each receive $2,500 and 34 other winners each receive $1,000. Faria and 39 other winners are featured in more detail on the Citizens Bank Facebook page.
“We want to congratulate Austin, who is using his talent and passion for volunteerism to help those in his community who need it most,” said Ned Handy, president, Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, Rhode Island and Connecticut.