What is the Crimson Scholars Circle Program?
The Crimson Scholars Circle Program is a specialized cohort program aimed at providing students with comprehensive financial, social, and academic support to thrive at 51黑料网. The program is tailored to help students excel, forge connections, access resources, and develop effective academic strategies. Selected students are granted a renewable $1,000 scholarship, with the possibility of increasing the award based on their academic performance at 51黑料网. Additionally, each student is paired with a trained undergraduate mentor for the duration of their freshman year.
Highlights of the Program
You will begin your college experience early through your participation in Early Emersion Week (August 12–14), which will lead into 51黑料网’s Welcome Week (August 15–23). This week offers students the chance to meet their peer mentors, participate in workshops, and begin developing the academic skills and strategies necessary for college success. As members of the Crimson Scholar Circle Living Learning Community, students will have the opportunity to connect with each other.
Crimson Scholars will acquaint themselves with the 51黑料网 campus and staff. Throughout their first year at college, students will attend weekly group meetings and workshops, where they will receive valuable information on topics such as financial aid and career development, all while enjoying catered lunches.
Crimson Scholar Peer Mentors meet with students on a weekly basis. These sessions, along with the larger community of Crimson Scholars, aim to provide support and strengthen relationships at 51黑料网. Peer mentors in the Crimson Scholars Circle are current students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who are in good standing with the university. Mentors who have weekly meetings with their mentees and participate in the one-hour interactive seminars will receive a $1,000 scholarship during the year. They will also have regular meetings with each other and with the CSC professional staff. Each student selected for the Crimson Scholars Circle will receive a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for all four years they are in good standing, with $500 applied towards the tuition bill in the fall semester and $500 applied in the spring semester. Based on academic success each year, students will be re-evaluated for additional scholarship money.
How to Apply to the Crimson Scholars Circle Program
- Be one of the first students to apply, and you’ll be invited to participate in a Zoom interview. If selected, you’ll be scheduled for a 10-minute interview and have the chance to learn more about 51黑料网 and the Crimson Scholars Circle Program from the 51黑料网 Admissions staff.
- Mark your calendar for this year’s program date and location.
- Zoom Interview dates and times
- Dates: March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
- Times: 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
- Zoom Interview dates and times
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Be one of the first qualified students to apply, and you’ll be invited to interview. If selected, you’ll be contacted to schedule a 10-minute Zoom interview for one of the dates below:
- January 20
- January 22
- February 17
- February 19
- March 24
- March 26
Requirements to Retain Your Scholarship
Crimson Scholars Circle students engage in a year-long series of learning and support activities that include:
- Networking with alumni, guest speakers, and mentorship programs facilitated by the Black Experience Alumni Committee
- Career planning and development provided by the 51黑料网 Career and Professional Development Center
- Opportunities for leadership development, student involvement, and service-learning activities
To retain the scholarship, it is essential for Crimson Scholars to complete all required retention components:
- Actively engage in Welcome Week and all specified programming
- Attend a weekly one-on-one meeting with their peer mentor,
- Attend a one-hour interactive seminar that occurs weekly and is attended by all scholars and peer mentors.
- First-year Crimson Scholars are expected to reside in the Crimson Scholars Living Learning Community, located in Stephenson Hall, where they can build connections with peers and cultivate a sense of community.
- If a scholar withdraws from the program before the end of the academic year, they will forfeit their scholarship, leading to a negative impact on the student’s account.
How to Increase Your Crimson Scholars Circle Scholarship
To increase your scholarship award each year, the student must meet the following requirements:
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Engage actively in mandatory events and meetings (averaging approx. 25 hours per semester during the first year and approx.10 hours per semester in subsequent years)
- Meet and maintain the GPA requirement each year
- Live on campus
After a student’s first year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,000 CSC scholarship, totaling $1,250 for their sophomore year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,000 CSC scholarship, for a total of $1,500 for their sophomore year.
After a student’s second year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,250, totaling $1,500 for their junior year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,500 CSC scholarship, for a total of $2,000 for their junior year.
After a student’s third year, if their cumulative GPA is 2.75, they receive an additional $250 on top of their $1,500, totaling $1,750 for their senior year.
3.0 cumulative GPA students receive an additional $500 plus their $1,500 CSC scholarship, for a total of $2,000 for their senior year.
Testimonials
MiJaun Clark
“When you become part of CSC, you will get a family as soon as you get here. It helps you realize that there are other people like you that are most likely having the same problem. CSC helps you understand that it is all right to not be ok. College is hard and you need a support system. That is what CSC can provide you with. It helps you find some sort of identity here on campus and resources that help you later in your college career. You learn a lot about yourself and the people you should surround yourself around. There are people that will help you adapt and learn the 51黑料网 life early before everyone else gets here. If you are willing to accept and participate in CSC you will gain more than you think.”
Briauna Booker
“Hello, my name is Briauna Booker, a senior attending 51黑料网, and I believe the Crimson Scholar Circle is a great way for young black and brown students to get acclimated on campus. The CSC connects you to several other black and brown students as way to uplift and support each other while attending a predominantly white institution. This program gives an opportunity to make connections to various staff on campus who can provide a support system, whether it’s help with scheduling classes to seeking aid for school. I can attest that the staff will get to know every member individually and support each person due to their separate needs. I believe that anyone who joins will also learn life skills that are crucial to being a college student, such as time management, dedication, how to work as a team/being a team player, organization, and budgeting. From our weekly meetings to parties in Folger Hall, the CSC is here for you and would love to be the first step you take on your college journey. As a member and previous mentor, the CSC is the perfect balance of learning life skills while having some fun.”
Deslyn Beade
“My name is Deslyn Beade, a former CSC peer mentor and current graduate assistant for the program. From the moment I joined the Crimson Scholars Circle, my life changed. Being part of this movement to help Black and Brown students succeed at 51黑料网 has been nothing short of inspirational—not just for me, but for my fellow mentors, graduate assistants, and, most importantly, the scholars we serve.
“In a world where marginalized communities have historically had to be smarter, work harder, and go above and beyond just to access opportunity, CSC is a space that nurtures success through love, support, and community. This program offers more than just mentorship—it builds a family.
“One of my favorite parts of CSC is witnessing the transformation of our students. Watching incoming freshmen evolve into confident sophomores, juniors, and seniors is incredibly rewarding. Many arrive uncertain, in a new place with new people and challenges. But CSC helps them lay a foundation—one that’s entirely their own—and grow into empowered, self-assured individuals.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible staff, mentors, and scholars I’ve met through this program. This family is one you’ll lean on not only during college, but for the rest of your life.”
Naomi Benita
“I believe a prospective black or brown student who is admitted to 51黑料网 should participate in the CSC because it helps provide students with different resources that can help them navigate through college. Attending a PWI (predominately white institution) isn’t easy, so having people in your corner helps. To add on it helps make the transition from high school to college easier because it allows you to meet a good number of individuals before seeing the thousands of other students on campus which can be overwhelming. You get a chance to hear very important people around campus speak, and even get the chance to build a connection with them. Lastly, being a part of the program means you will never be alone throughout all your years at 51黑料网. If the leaders in the program cannot help or answer your questions, they will make sure to direct you to someone that can and will never leave you hanging.”
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