Spartan News
By A`lauren Gilchrist
This past 2021-2022 academic year, Norfolk State had its Inaugural class of VCAN scholars. VCAN stands for Virginia College Affordability Network and has been in place at Norfolk State since Fall 2021.
The VCAN Scholarship provides free tuition in addition to room and board for eight semesters, which is a full ride. Students who receive this scholarship are incoming freshmen who live within 25 miles from campus, is Pell-Grant eligible, and have been accepted into the university.
The program directors are Marlisa Sanders and Ricky Hopkins, or as their students call them, “Auntie & Uncle.” The Inaugural class of VCAN scholars did not have a specific application to complete for this scholarship. Therefore, if the student was accepted into the university and met the requirements, they were offered money.
VCAN Program Takes Off
Sanders has hope for her “kids” and values her relationships with them. She believes her and Hopkins’ support will see the scholars to graduation. She and Hopkins are not only there to advise academically but to be a support system for the scholars.
“If students know and we show them that we really care, that makes a huge difference, and the students are going to feel like they don't want to let not only themselves down, but they don't want to let us down either, they want to try their hardest,” said Sanders.
Sanders also says that the VCAN learning community is a “family.” Sanders and Hopkins have planned events the past school year to get their students to bond, and this school year, an e-board with sub-committees has been introduced, and now the students organize and help plan events to keep the “family” engaged.
The goal is to have 300 Scholars Graduate by 2026. With such support and engagement, these students have a bright future ahead.
On the other hand, the current first-year class of VCAN scholars had to fill out an online application last fall during their senior year of high school and meet the requirements to receive this scholarship. The Inaugural class had 202 accepted scholars; the current class had 183 accepted scholars. Currently, a little over 300 VCAN scholars are benefiting from this scholarship
This program had planned to take off in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the funds were put on hold. Now, this program is in motion.
“It has been a positive impact on students, especially those who may have felt like they didn’t have an opportunity to come to college for financial reasons,” said Sanders. “With them being able to receive the VCAN scholarship, they are able to get a free education as well as to be able to live on campus for free.”
Initially, room and board were not in the scholarship package, which still imposed a financial burden for some students, but due to the 2020 funds not being used, this program can now cover room and board for students. It is uncertain if the scholarship will continue covering room and board in the future. However, the complete package plans to remain in place as the funds come.
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Pictured: Marlisa Sanders
Jayda Johnson/ Spartan Echo