“I really encourage students to explore all of their options that they have available to them. So many students don’t really know how the process really works, especially if we are talking about our first-generation students and our low-income students, in particular,” says Derek Johnson. “Oftentimes, this is something that is really new for the students and the families. So we really want to break it down and walk them through the process.”
When Johnson, the executive director of undergraduate admissions at Edgewood College, founded the College Station about a year and a half ago he had the goal of helping every area student – regardless of background – see college as a viable life option.
This Saturday, Oct. 20, 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Urban League of Greater Madison, the College Station will host College Scholarship Day in partnership with Edgewood College, UW-Madison, Madison College and the Urban League to make sure that under-served and underrepresented students have the information they need as it relates to paying for college.
“We are trying to give students as many resources as possible,” Johnson tells Madison365. “College is a very important investment, and students and families need to know the resources and grants and scholarships that are available to them and what we are trying to do is to bridge that gap and break things down very simple and plain.”
The day will start off with a general overview on the steps a student needs to take to apply for scholarships, some tips and advice, and finding out about some of the pretty significant scholarship opportunities that all three of the institutions offer.”
Specifically, Edgewood College’s Community Scholars Program, Madison College’s Scholars of Promise Program, and UW-Madison’s many great programs.
“College Scholarship Day is really designed to let students know what is available right here in their own backyard,” Johnson says. “I think one of the main goals is to try and meet students where they were. I think all three institutions of higher education are kind of doing their own thing which is great, which is awesome, and we’ll continue to do that. I think the question that we had is: How can we work together to make sure our students have the tools and resources that they actually need and how can we encourage students to look at these great colleges that are right in their own backyard.”
College Scholarship Day will feature several different presentations and a student panel of current students of some the aforementioned scholarships. “They will talk about their experiences and what it’s like to be a college student, in general,” Johnson says.
Johnson, who last weekend was presented with the 2018 President’s Award as the “Rising Star” at the Urban League of Greater Madison’s 50th anniversary celebration for his great work in the community, will make a presentation on the overall scholarship process and will talk about essay writing, interviews for scholarships, and other key things that young people need to know at this crucial juncture in their lives.
“We’ll have a break out session where students actually get to complete the FAFSA [Free Application For Student Aid] and we’ll have financial aid officers from all three colleges who will come out and walk students through – actually sit down with students and families – to help them complete the FAFSA right there on the spot,” Johnson says.
College Scholarship Day is open to all area high school students and their families. High school students of color, first-generation students, and parents are encouraged to attend.
“We want to make sure these young people are talking to somebody that they feel very comfortable asking questions to,” Johnson says. “We want to bring this information to these students and be of assistance in helping them through the process.”
Johnson himself knows what it’s like as a low-income, first-generation student pursuing higher education. He knows exactly what many of the barriers students face.
“I’m the true definition of a first-generation, low-income college student of color. It can be challenging to navigate the whole process and understand it and get it,” Johnson says. “For me, this is just another opportunity to bring it back home and to encourage more people to look at college as a viable option.
“I want young people to know that it’s perfectly OK to not know how this process works,” he adds. “We want to make sure that everybody gets the information that they actually need. That’s what we’re really trying to do here.”
