Closing the Tuition Gap Just in Time for Graduation
Aundrea Brazile of Portland, OR, was a recipient of the Bryant Gumbel Tournament Scholarship, administered by UNCF. Brazile is a recent graduate of UNCF-member institution Benedict College with a bachelor’s degreein educational studies and child and family development.
“The scholarship I received from UNCF came as a surprise and covered not only the remainder of my tuition bill—which was more than half—but also left additional money that I could apply to my student loans,” Brazile said. “I would have had to ask my parents to cover the remainder of my bill, which was around $5,000, and I know they still have other responsibilities.” With the support of the Bryant Gumbel Tournament Scholarship, she didn’t have to rely on her parents to pay the remaining balance in her last semester.
Benedict’s rich history and family atmosphere drew Brazile to the campus. Her most memorable college experience was attending homecoming. Coming from Portland and transferring from the University of Oregon made the homecoming experience at an historically Black college and university (HBCU) extremely meaningful for Brazile. “I wouldn’t call it a culture shock, but it was an experience,” Brazille recalled. “It’s something that I reflect on and still remember today.”
Throughout her undergraduate studies, she held numerous leadership roles, including secretary, social media chair and president’s assistant of Benedict College’s Collegiate 100 and was a member of the student programming council.
UNCF’s financial support through scholarships helps students like Brazile avoid stressing about tuition during their final semester, allowing them to graduate with ease. Her advice for students who are looking for scholarships is to never give up and keep applying because there are opportunities. “This scholarship came at a time when Lord knows I needed it most and provided a bridge to the gap that stood between me and graduating,” she said.
She plans to pursue a career in elementary education and open her own elementary school. Currently, she’s a pre-K instructional assistant at Watkins-Nance Elementary School in Columbia, SC.
UNCF is proud of our students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate. These scholarships are invaluable to students, and UNCF is accepting donations to support students like Aundrea Brazile in their academic endeavors.