The Georgetown Scholars Program is a university-run program designed to "work towards a more equitable college experience for first-generation and low-income (FGLI) Georgetown students"1. GSP was established in 2004 to complement the university's effort to increase scholarship offerings with on-campus programming and resources for FGLI students2.
Structure
Georgetown applicants do not apply directly to GSP; instead, GSP students "are selected by an external committee during the admission process" based on various characteristics, especially FGLI status3. 79% of GSP students are first-generation students, while 78% are students of color4. The program has a 94% graduation rate; the national average for first-generation students is 26%5. 62% of GSP alumni donate to the program or the university6.
A 2022 study from Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce ranked Georgetown as the #1 university for return on investment for low-income students7.
Offerings
Since 2004, GSP has served over 2,200 Georgetown undergraduates8. It currently serves over 650 undergrad students9, a substantial increase from the roughly 50 students it initially supported10. The program's core offerings include mentorship, community building, funding, and advocacy.
GSP offers both peer and alumni mentoring services to students. The peer mentoring program matches freshmen with upper-class GSP mentors11, while alumni mentorship is available beginning in students' sophomore year12.
GSP provides a range of community building programming to support students. Through Project Move-In, alumni and staff welcome new GSP students when they arrive in DC and assist with move-in13. GSP also hosts community dinners and other social events to bring the GSP community together14. Overall, GSP estimates that it holds about 20 community events every year15.
GSP offers necessity funding for students, consisting of micro-grants to cover unexpected or emergency costs16. The necessity funding program can help cover mental health counseling, medical expenses, and professional development17.
GSP's advocacy includes an annual weeklong GSProud campaign which aims to highlight the experiences of FGLI students18. GSProud typically features a range of programming, including workshops and various social events19.
- 1Georgetown Program Board, Mission Statement. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/mission-statement/.
- 2James, Paul. "GSP is weathering the economic downturn. But its sustainability remains uncertain." The Georgetown Voice. 14 March 2021.
- 3Georgetown Scholars Program, Model. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/how-it-works/model/.
- 4Georgetown Scholars Program, At A Glance. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/at-a-glance/.
- 5Georgetown Scholars Program, At A Glance. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/at-a-glance/.
- 6Georgetown Scholars Program, At a Glance. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/at-a-glance/.
- 7Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, The Colleges Where Low-Income Students Get the Highest ROI. https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/lowincome/.
- 8Georgetown Scholars Program, Story. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/story/.
- 9Georgetown Scholars Program, Story. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/story/.
- 10James, Paul. "A look inside GSP's mentorship program." The Georgetown Voice. 21 May 2021.
- 11Georgetown Scholars Program, Peer Mentorship. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/prospective-students/advising/peer-mentors/.
- 12Georgetown Scholars Program, Alumni Mentorship. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/prospective-students/advising/alumni-mentorship/.
- 13Georgetown Scholars Program, Community Building & Resources. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/prospective-students/community/.
- 14Georgetown Scholars Program, Community Building & Resources. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/prospective-students/community/.
- 15Georgetown Scholars Program, At A Glance. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/about/at-a-glance/.
- 16Georgetown Scholars Program, Necessity Funding. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/necessity-funding/.
- 17Georgetown Scholars Program, Necessity Funding. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/student-resources-2/necessity-funding/.
- 18Georgetown Scholars Program, Advocacy. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/advocacy/.
- 19Georgetown Scholars Program, Advocacy. https://gsp.georgetown.edu/advocacy/.
