WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's ChoiceDEF Makes The Connection For Future College Students

SALISBURY, Md. - It's crunch time for future college-goers, time to start applying for scholarships. That's where Delmarva Education Foundation comes in, helping students in the tri-county area get funding for school.

"It's probably the most amazing experience of my life," said Riley O'Brien of Salisbury, now a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University. The experience she is referring to is college, all made possible because of the Delmarva Education Foundation, also known as DEF.

"I knew from the beginning, because I'm one of 5 children, that I would need a lot of money to be able to afford to go to the college of my dreams, Ohio Wesleyan because it's a very expensive school," said O'Brien.

She says tuition costs are about $50,000 a year, but over 80 percent of it is all paid through scholarships that DEF helped her find.

"We are trying to boost the number of people in the area who have college in their backgrounds to help them get better jobs, have a higher quality of life, and generally improve the quality of life for the whole community," said Katherine Harting, Executive Director of DEF.

Now Riley is pursuing a career in physical therapy, and is hoping to take her skills overseas.

"Do kind of a doctors without borders sort of thing and treat wounded vets, and that sort of thing," she said.

Riley is just one of many that DEF has helped guide towards a brighter future. This Saturday, DEF is hosting a scholarship fair at the Centre at Salisbury mall. Dozens of scholarship sponsors will have tables set up throughout from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.