Two Massachusetts high school graduates and their families are breathing a little easier about the prospect of paying for college after receiving the Framingham State University Mancuso Scholarships, which cover the entire cost of tuition, fees, room and board for up to four years.

"It means the world to me to receive this scholarship," says Sofia Wilson, of Milford. "I have two younger sisters, and figuring out how to pay for college was super stressful for my parents and myself."

Wilson and Maddison Behringer of Ashburnham are the third pair of recipients of the Mancuso English, Humanities, and Social & Behavioral Sciences Scholarships. The two students will have the opportunity to take all four years at Framingham State at no cost, but must meet certain scholarship requirements in order to have it renewed each year.

"I'm the youngest of three, so I know for my parents this is a huge weight off their shoulders," says Behringer.

English Professor Halcyon Mancuso created the scholarships through a $2.5 million financial commitment to FSU that was announced in 2018. There are two Mancuso Scholarships awarded at Framingham State every year. One will always be reserved for an English major, which is the subject Mancuso has taught for many years, and the second will rotate each year between majors in the humanities and social sciences.

Wilson was already considering Framingham State when she learned about the scholarship because she had heard about the strong reputation of the University's English Department. Now she is looking forward to immersing herself in the college life by taking part in student clubs and intermural sports when she gets to campus in the fall.

Behringer is majoring in Communications Media and considering a minor in journalism or television production.

"I'm very excited about the change from high school to college," says Behringer. "I'm excited to get on campus and take part in all the activities."

Halcyon Mancuso, who serves as a mentor to all Mancuso Scholars, designed the opportunity with an emphasis on career-readiness. Mancuso scholars will be required to participate in at least two meaningful internships prior to graduation and will be supported by the University's Mancuso Humanities and Workforce Preparation Center during college and after they graduate.

"We want our humanities students to be thoroughly prepared for their careers when they leave FSU," says Mancuso. "We are the only Massachusetts state university that offers this sort of support to our humanities majors and minors."

The students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, participate in at least one extracurricular activity each semester, and write a paper at the end of each academic year reflecting on their career and academic growth.

To learn more about the Mancuso Scholarship, visit www.framingham.edu/mancuso-scholarships.