As a homeless pupil from New York received a full scholarship at Harvard

Earning a college degree can be one of the most important accomplishments in a person's life. And this is perhaps doubly important for young people from families who are worse off than others. Athena Capo-Battaglia has gone through a difficult journey from a resident of a rooming house to a student at one of the most prestigious universities in America and the world - the 18-year-old girl has been successfully studying at Harvard for a year now.

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

When Athena Lorain’s mother, a former dance teacher, became ill with cancer and lost her job, the woman and her daughter were left without shelter. In high school and after it, Athena and her mother lived in a homeless shelter in Queens, New York, CBS News. Now the girl in her free time serves as a volunteer in the local department of the auxiliary police, where she was visited by the journalists of the TV channel.

Capo Battaglia said that the most difficult part of the transition to a new life was the first night when she and her mother came to the orphanage.

“Each of us had only one suitcase. It seems like we were completely alone then,” the girl told a CBS News correspondent. “You are completely dependent on the will of the system, wherever you find yourself.”

Despite all this, Lorraine never gave up and tried to keep her promise - to give her daughter an education.

On the subject: A girl from Louisiana entered 139 colleges and received $ 8,7 million scholarships

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

“I always made sure that she had pens, erasers, the Internet - all those things that children need today,” the woman said.

“How did you deal with this? - asked the journalist.

“We just saved on things that are less important,” the mother replied.

This prompted Capo Battalh to try especially hard: she graduated from high school with an ideal 4,0 average score.

“I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to get into college, so I applied to 25 of them,” the girl said. “I just kept applying, telling myself I had to get into at least one.”

And she did it: Capo Battaglia received a full scholarship (full ride) at Harvard University.

“I finally did something really noticeable, and it was good,” the girl admitted.

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

As the site explains College raptor, there are two types of full scholarships - full ride and full tuition.

Full Ride is a scholarship that covers the entire cost of attending college, including tuition, room and board, and sometimes even expenses for study and housing abroad. Essentially, this is maximum coverage. The scholarship may be awarded by the federal government, by the colleges themselves, or by a private source (rare). These are highly sought after, highly competitive awards that are awarded exclusively to a small proportion of students - about 0,1%.

In the case of Full Tuition, the cost of college education is covered, but this most often does not apply to other expenses - accommodation, food, student and other expenses. There are options of an extended type, but in most cases the scholarship goes only to the training itself. These scholarships can be awarded by the government, colleges, or private sources (again, rare).

Both full ride and full tuition are very difficult to reach. Because they are largely based on merit, such fellows tend to have a high average score, grades, test scores, extraordinary athletic ability, or leadership qualities that make them desirable students for educational institutions.

On the subject: Personal experience: how a Belarusian in 16 years received a full scholarship to study in the US

Athena Capo-Battaglia has just completed her first year as a neurobiologist. But, according to the girl, "the battle never ends."

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

“I didn’t feel like I could fail,” she said, “because my mom depends on it.”

“We were each other’s support because it’s hard for both of us,” Athena admitted. “And so I wanted to make sure she was still smiling.”

Lorain smiles. And although they still live in a shelter, both are looking to the future with hope.

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

“I came from where everything is a little more complicated,” says the girl. “I will not forget this, but will try to take it as a valuable learning experience.”

The story of Athena is an example of how there is more to each of us than meets the eye.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Families, where there is at least one illegal, want to ban the use of affordable housing

A homeless student from Tennessee was admitted to more than 40 colleges and received $ 3 million scholarships

San Francisco Homeless Beats Records

Almost like a child: having a dog in New York is a huge life-changing responsibility.

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.