Key keywords: Damar Hamlin, NFL player, 15 Pittsburgh scholarships, higher education access, Chasing M's Foundation, Buffalo Bills safety, community philanthropy, underserved youth, Pittsburgh Public Schools Buffalo Bills safety and Pittsburgh native Damar Hamlin announced this week that his Chasing M’s Foundation will award 15 need-based scholarships to students across Pittsburgh Public Schools, marking one of the largest individual education investments the city’s youth community has received from a professional athlete in recent years. The announcement was made during a surprise visit to his alma mater, Central Catholic High School, where Hamlin was joined by Pittsburgh Public Schools administrators, local education advocates, and dozens of current high school students. Each scholarship will cover up to 100% of post-secondary education costs for eligible recipients, including tuition, textbooks, housing stipends, and required course materials, for up to four years. Unlike many traditional scholarship programs, the funding can be used for any accredited post-secondary path, including four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs, a choice Hamlin said was intentional to meet the diverse needs of Pittsburgh’s student population. “Pittsburgh is the reason I am who I am today,” Hamlin shared during the announcement event. “I grew up in a neighborhood where so many kids had the same talent, the same drive, and the same big dreams as I did, but didn’t have the financial support to make those dreams a reality. When I got my second chance at life after my on-field cardiac arrest in 2023, I promised myself I would use every bit of my platform to lift up the community that lifted me up. These scholarships aren’t just a donation—they’re an investment in the next generation of Pittsburgh leaders.” To qualify for the award, students must be current juniors or seniors at Pittsburgh Public Schools, hold a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate documented financial need, and submit an essay detailing how they plan to give back to the Pittsburgh community after completing their post-secondary education. Applications will open on May 1, 2024, and winners will be announced in late July ahead of the 2024 fall semester. Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent Wayne Walters praised the initiative, noting that the program will address one of the biggest barriers to post-secondary success for local students. “Nearly 40% of our graduating seniors do not enroll in post-secondary education immediately after graduation, and 60% of those students cite financial constraints as the primary reason,” Walters explained. “Damar’s investment will not only change the lives of 15 individual students and their families, but it will send a message to every student in our district that their potential is seen and valued.” Hamlin also noted that the 15 scholarships are the first phase of a larger multi-year education initiative from the Chasing M’s Foundation, which will also include mentorship pairing for scholarship recipients with local Black and brown professionals, paid summer internship placements with Pittsburgh-based companies, and career placement support after graduation.