Elon Students Find Success Through Scholarships

A college education can feel unattainable for students from lower-income households—Elon University partners with several programs to aid students and provide access to previously inaccessible resources.

The First-year class of 2027 Odyssey program participants pose for a photo on campus at their summer pre-orientation week. Photo Courtesy Kaelise Lane

Odyssey Program

The Odyssey Program is a four-year scholarship program, part of Elon University's Center for Access and Success. The program provides an Elon education to first-generation students from low-income households with high academic achievement.

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

"As a lower-income student, honestly, it has given me a wonderful opportunity for my college experience," Lane said. "With this scholarship, I'm able to pursue a career in academia."

The program focuses on academically and professionally enriching students by offering networking opportunities and professional workshops. Throughout the four-year program, students receive a stipend for school supplies and books and a $4,000 Global Study grant, according to the Elon University website. 

Lane said that through the program, she made connections that made her feel like she belonged.

"As an African American at a [predominantly white institution], I feel like Odyssey has helped me transition into my college experience," Lane said. "Being surrounded by like-minded individuals has really helped me find a sense of belonging since there are very few black women on campus."

Lane said that students selected to participate in the Odyssey program participate in various bonding experiences, including a summer pre-orientation program to build community and a weekend getaway where multiple classes come together to get to know each other.

Odyssey also includes a mentoring program where students receive a person from whom they can lean on throughout their four years of college.

"There's like five people in a group that have one mentor, but there's a lot of different mentors you can get," Lane said. "Throughout your college experience, you have this mentor to kind of lean on and ask questions about the program or little things on campus."

The Elon students enrolled in Golden Door Scholars pose together in a photo booth at the Golden Door Scholars summit in July 2023. Photo Courtesy Viluzmar Castellanos 

Golden Door Scholars

Sophomore Viluzmar Castellanos transferred to Elon University from Georgia State University at the start of this academic year. Due to her transfer status, Castellanos 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 opportunities, including financial aid and mentoring. According to the GDS webpage, Elon University is one of 22 universities that partner with GDS to cover students' tuition, housing, textbooks, and meals.

Castellanos said GDS does not currently have staff at Elon to assist the program; however, Elon's first-generation staff understand the student's background and offer support. Additionally, students receive mentors and are encouraged to build community with program alums.

Castellanos emphasized the importance of a program like GDS for students who need more funding and resources to pursue a college degree.

"I think Golden Door Scholars is not really widely known just because immigration is not something that not a lot of people worry about, especially when it comes to higher education," Castellanos said. "Only when the people are applying to college is when they realize, oh, 'what are we going to do? We don't have the resources to actually go to college.'"