Emergent Leaders Network

ELN launched its first micro-scholarships in California, starting with Glendale Community College. California has the largest higher education system in the U.S., serving over two million students annually, with 25% of Californians ages 18-24 currently enrolled in a community college. California community colleges also enroll the state’s lowest-income students. Full-time students have an annual median income of $16,223, with a quarter having incomes of less than $5,544 per year. These students can benefit significantly from small scholarships that cover course fees, books, and other academic expenses. ELN micro-scholarships are also a form of recognition, an award that students can list on their resumes as an affirmation of their hard work and potential.