Alex Austin, Long Beach native, ex-defensive back for the Oregon State University Beavers, and current cornerback for the New England Patriots is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
"This scholarship is important to me because I know that everyone battles with adversity at some point in their life. I myself had to overcome adversity to get me to where I am today. This is why I want to give back to students who have shown resilience in overcoming their own challenges."
Once again, Alex is partnering with Access Scholarships to do exactly that! 5 scholarships (each worth $1,000) will be awarded to students who have overcome hardship throughout their lives.
High school and undergraduate students of all years are encouraged to apply. Special consideration will be given to minority students, as well as students who are or will be the first in their family to attend college.
Total amount: $5,000
Number of awards: 5
Breakdown of awards: (5) $1,000
Deadline: April 15, 2024
Winners announced: by June 30th
Open to: High school & undergraduate students
Overcoming adversity and hardships of all shapes and sizes are often what help us to build resiliency. In 500 words or less, tell us about a time that you encountered an obstacle or challenge. How did you navigate this situation, and what lessons did you learn from it?
The Overcoming Adversity Scholarship is open to high school and undergraduate students of all years who are 13 years of age and older who have at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Students of all majors/areas of study are welcome to apply.
$1,000 Winner
College Junior
"I feel really privileged to have received this scholarship. It is a recognition of my hard work and dedication that I've exhibited over my lifetime. I plan on using the money for academic research. I am researching ways on how to provide a cheap and reliable internet to regions that can't really afford it in Africa. Affordability is a huge issue in Africa and coming up with a solution to that would be groundbreaking."
$1,000 Winner
High School Senior
"It’s truly a blessing to be awarded Alex Austins Overcoming Adversity Scholarship! A huge amount of stress and anxiety has been released off my shoulders because of this scholarship. I am now in less student debt from where I started. I remember feeling like my hard work had gone unnoticed as a senior in high school, but winning this scholarship was such a reminder that bad times ARENT forever and always work out in the end. I am forever grateful to be awarded this scholarship and am inspired by Alex to give back to the community. Thank you Alex."
$1,000 Winner
High School Sophomore
"Being presented with the Alex Austin's Overcoming Adversity Scholarship is an incredible honor! I am extremely grateful to have this award because it commemorates my resilience, challenges, and successes. Throughout my life, I faced difficulties in my academic life when I moved to the United States, but acquiring a higher level of education has always been my life goal. With the rising cost of tuition and money becoming something to heed, I plan to put this scholarship towards my college savings and lessen my parents' burdens."
$1,000 Winner
College Freshman
"Being the recipient of the Overcoming Adversity Scholarship is a great honor and a turning point in my academic career. This opportunity relieves a great deal of the financial strain associated with attending college, for which I am incredibly grateful. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to concentrate on my education and seek a career in healthcare, where I hope to improve the system significantly. This scholarship not only helps me reach my academic objectives, but it also stokes my desire to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector. I appreciate this scholarship for seeing my potential and giving me the resources."
$1,000 Winner
College Senior
$500 Winner
High School Senior from Illinois
"It is an honor to receive this scholarship. As college is becoming increasingly expensive, many students, including myself, have to rely on scholarships to afford it, so I am extremely grateful to Access Scholarships, Alex Austin, and Hirect for this opportunity. I will put it towards a degree in computer science, which I will use to help others while working for the government or a nonprofit."
$1,000 Winner
College Senior from California
"I am thrilled to be awarded Alex Austin’s Overcoming Adversity Scholarship! This award is a wonderful way for me to celebrate the hurdles I have overcome throughout my college career. Because I am graduating soon, I will be putting this scholarship towards my student loans. I want to thank Alex Austin for creating this opportunity for myself and the other scholarship winners. Students face a wide range of adversities throughout their college years, and I am grateful that this scholarship was inclusive of my individual experiences."
$500 Winner
College Sophomore from New Jersey
"As a first-generation student, I have a tendency to place a lot of emphasis on my academics. A scholarship like this helps me realize that life is about more than just studying and getting excellent grades, that I am a person with a narrative, and that my character is constantly evolving. With the help of this scholarship, I intend to launch my own small business. And your scholarship serves to remind me that prosperity has no limits, despite the challenges we encounter in life. Thank you!"
Access Scholarships is a free scholarship search engine and college resource platform for students.
Alex Austin is an Oregon State alum and current cornerback for the New England Patriots.
Photo credits: Hirect, OSU Athletics, Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
