Elon Students Find Success Through Scholarships

Recieiving a college education can feel unattainable for students coming from lower-income households. Elon University partners with a number of programs to aid students and provide access to recourse that were previously unattainable.

Odyssey Program

The Odyssey Program is a four-year scholarship program and is part University’s Center for Access and Success. The program is designed to provide an Elon education to first-generation low-income students with high academic academic achievement.

First-year Kaelise Lane, is grateful for the community found through the Odyssey program.

“As an African American at a PWI, I feel like Odyssey has helped me transition into my college experience,” “Being surrounded by like minded individuals has really helped me find a sense of belonging since there are very few black women on campus.”

Focusing on enriching students both academically and professional the program offers networking opportunities and professional workshops. Throughout the four-year program students also receive a stipend for school supplies and books as well as a $4,000 Global Study grant, according to the Elon University website. (https://www.elon.edu/u/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/odyssey-program/)

“as a lower income student, honestly it has given me a wonderful opportunity for my college experience,” “With this scholarship, I'm able to pursue a career in academia”

Golden Door Scholars

Sophmore V C transferred to Elon University from Georgia State University at the start of this academic year. Due to her transfer status C. is not eligible for the Odyssey program however she is a part of Golden Door Scholars.

Golden Door Scholars is a private scholarship that provides DACA and undocumented students support to better their future through opportunity including financial aid and mentoring. Elon University is one of 22 universities that partner with GDS to cover students’ tuition, housing, textbooks and meals, according to the GDS webpage. (https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/what-to-expect)

GDS does not currently have staff at Elon to assist the program however, students like C gain support from first generation staff.

“we also have first generation staff that has been helping us a lot and most of them know where we're coming from with gold of those scholars.”

“And I feel most of the resources that we have are very tech related. We get mentors that are working already on the field. We get to come once a month. We have career coaches, and they're very well connected with us “

“I think like golden door scholarships, is not really widely known just because immigration is not something that's a lot of people worry about, especially when it comes to higher education, but only when the people are applying to college is when they realize, oh, we, what are we going to do? We don't have the resources to actually go to college.”