Nine Troy University students have received some extra financial assistance thanks to a grant awarded the University by the Ellucian Foundation PATH Scholarship Program.
The Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship is provided by the Ellucian Foundation, established in 2020 by Ellucian, the leading technology solutions provider for higher education. In its first year, the PATH Scholarships provided 25 eligible higher education institutions with $500,000 in grants, delivering scholarship awards to a total of 680 students.
This year, TROY was one of 30 institutions to receive a grant of $15,000 that enabled scholarship of $1,500 – $2,000 to eligible students.
Receiving scholarship are Justin Austin, an information systems major from Decatur; Christian Bens, a graphic design major from Decatur; Tarrique Baker, an interdisciplinary major from Lanett; Rachel Goodman, a nursing major from Mobile; Kerra Miller, an exercise science major from Dothan; Christin Parker, a global business major from Pelham; Jasmine Riley, a criminal justice major from Troy; John Segars, a rehabilitation and disability services major from Atlanta; and Bharat Shrestha, an accounting major from Montgomery and Nepal.
For recipients, the scholarship has taken some of the financial pressure off attending college. Goodwin, who will graduate in December, said she has had to “scholarship” her way through school and work summers to afford to attend nursing school at TROY.
“Getting the scholarship means the world to me,” she said. “Being able to get it has allowed me to focus on my last few months as a nursing student and finish my degree so I can go out and help others.”
Caroline Hale, Central Director of Development with the Troy University Foundation, said the PATH Scholarship is based on economic hardship and hits the mark when it comes to supporting our students.
“This scholarship really does allow our students to realize their dreams and provides much-needed support that allows them to concentrate on their studies,” she said.
Baker said the money did a lot of things for him and it was well-timed.
“I was going to have a remaining balance to pay this semester, so the scholarship helped me cover my dorm and meal plan costs,” he said.
Austin echoed those sentiments. As a junior living off campus and paying his own way for college, it has helped ease the balance of education and supporting himself.
“It helps to pay for things like food and housing and makes it easier on me so I don’t have to worry about money as much while I’m trying to focus on my studies,” he said.
For Segars, the PATH scholarship has cleared a path for education.
“It simplifies my working and puts me on a path to a get a good education. It enables me to put in the hard work on my studies,” he said.
