Nearly 50 colleges and universities awarded $13.67 million in scholarships to Richmond area students at the annual Richmond Infinite Scholars college admission and scholarship fair on Oct. 6, it has been announced.

Gov. Ralph S. Northam and retired educator Thomas Ousley, who founded the national nonprofit Infinite Scholars program, were on hand for the fair that was held at Main Street Station.

The Delta House Foundation, the charity arm of the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, hosted the program and reported that 860 students participated.

Mr. Ousley launched the first Infinite Scholar event in 2003 to aid African-American and other financially disadvantaged students gain the scholarship support they need to attend a two-year or four-year college or university.

Then a teacher in St. Louis, Mr. Ousley created the program “because I was tired of hearing students tell me they couldn’t afford college,” he said.

His goal was to have students meet with admissions officials who could award scholarships on the spot.

His model of bringing students and school representatives together garnered significant recognition and led him to develop the nonprofit that operates in St. Louis and has spread to Virginia and 10 other states.

This was the 12th year the sorority has hosted the fair in Richmond.