SCU’s first-generation college students need your support now more than ever!

This year SCU’s first-generation college students have experienced significant challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic including the financial stress of job loss, the adjustment to online learning with less access to technology, and the cancellation of hard-won summer opportunities. 

In a fall survey on the impact of COVID 19

• 42% of LEAD Scholars reported loss of employment and income
• 55% indicated that it would be hard to adjust to online learning
• 38% reported that they had lost an academic opportunity (e.g. internship or study abroad)

The LEAD Scholars Program has responded with emergency grants and scholarships so our students have their living and educational needs met. We’ve also provided fellowship funding so that students can afford to pursue unpaid internships, their own academic projects, or other “out of the box” experiences amidst limited opportunities. 

This student funding is part of the LEAD Scholars Program’s comprehensive suite of support that includes academic courses, advising, social events, vocational exploration, networking, community outreach, funding, leadership opportunities, and alumni engagement. For more info about LEAD, please visit: https://www.scu.edu/lead/.

Your donation will make an impact by funding:

• Scholarships to provide students with funding for tuition, room and board, and other school expenses. 
• Microgrants to help students with emergency and living expenses, including replacing broken computers, rent and food.
• Fellowships to fund student participation in high-impact experiences like undergraduate research and unpaid internships.

During this unprecedented time, your gift on the Day of Giving is more important than ever!

LEAD Scholars share how LEAD funding has impacted them:

"Being a first-generation college student and single mother at Santa Clara University comes with a whole slew of challenges. Thank God for the LEAD Program and the funding they were able to bless me with. Because of their help I can focus on being a better student, which in turn makes me a better mother and overall better person. I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance I have gotten from the LEAD Scholars Program." 

— Vaneysha, '22, received funding for living expenses 

“My Zoom experience is much better now. Before upgrading, I had to turn off my video feeds in order to let professors and classmates hear my voice during class and discussions, but my classmates sometimes still said my voice had been cut off. Now I am able to keep my camera on and they can hear my voice crystal clear. Thank you for all the support.” 

— Lin, '21, received funding for an internet upgrade

“Due to COVID -19, my three Santa Clara study abroad opportunities to Nepal; Oaxaca, Mexico and Barcelona, Spain got cancelled. Thanks to LEAD and donors like you, I was able to obtain funding on short notice for my Research Analyst position under Dr. Jegathesan in the Anthropology Department. Thanks to this opportunity, I was extended this position for two additional quarters.” 

— Bryan, '21, received funding to participate in undergraduate research and is now a Fulbright Fellowship finalist