Delta Scholars

ESF is dedicated to increasing the awareness of students in the Mississippi Delta regarding postsecondary educational opportunities and access to them through our enrichment program.

Children in the Mississippi Delta do not grow up wanting to be poor. They too aspire to become doctors, teachers, astronauts, and entrepreneurs. However, they oftentimes remain in a community where few know how to enter these professions. Thousands of students in Mississippi Delta high schools have what it takes to succeed in college and pursue professional careers, but lack the information and ongoing support they need to make it happen.

ESF has designed and implemented an outreach program that:

• encourages students to aspire to postsecondary educational opportunities,
• provides college advising and preparation for post-secondary educational opportunities,
• develops partnerships with other organizations and colleges for improved higher education access, and
• provides students with the opportunity to tour Mississippi colleges and out-of-state institutions.

The Delta Scholars Program

The Delta Scholars Proram catalyzes the pursuit of education and training beyond high school by enabling students to make effective decisions concerning their educational and career paths. Delta Scholars make a commitment to meet on a regular basis throughout high school. The Scholars adhere to a strict college planning timeline and receive guidance and information on the higher education and financial aid processes.

Education Partnerships

• GEAR UP Mississippi: ESF works closely with GEAR UP Mississippi to provide additional support to Delta students. Currently the Gear UP/ESF partnership is sponsoring Scholars Clubs in seven high schools: Lanier and Forest Hills in Hinds County, Greenville-Weston in Washington County, South Delta in Sharkey County, Yazoo City in Yazoo County, and J. J. McClain and Williams-Sullivan in Holmes County.
• Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania: ESF has entered into an exciting partnership with Dickinson College. Four Scholars accepted by the College for admissions will receive substantial financial support enabling them to attend Dickinson. Scholars also have the opportunity to participate in Dickinson’s annual Multi-Cultural Overnight program for prospective students. In November 2005, 18 Delta Scholars were the first Mississippi students to attend this popular recruiting program!

Delta Scholars who have been accepted to Dickinson College for 2006 are (from left) Mantatisi Walker and Shannon Givens from West Tallahatchie High School and Brandon Taylor and Luther Lampkin from Clarksdale High School.

Professionals in the Classroom (PIC)

PIC is an interactive means of providing Scholars with access to positive role models. The program partners with secondary schools and provides them with professional Mississippi Delta "alumni" who volunteer their time to share their experiences with the youth of the Delta and motivate and inspire them to take advantage of the educational opportunities within their reach.

Annual College Tour

The now famous ESF College Tour, an incredibly profound and meaningful bus trip to a diverse group of institutions of higher learning, is the heart of the Delta Scholars program. The Tour has made stops at Grambling State, Vanderbilt University, Clark-Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgetown University, Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Jarvis Christian College, Paul Quinn College, Southern Methodist University, Texas A & M, Prairie View, Texas Southern, Rice, Southern, Louisiana State, Xavier College, Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Millsaps College and University of Southern Mississippi. This tour changes lives every year by opening young minds to new educational possibilities on each campus.

ESF Delta Mini-Grants Program

In order to assist Mississippi Delta area schools, community organizations, and faith-based organizations increase the number of students who complete high school and enroll in college, ESF's Delta Mini-Grants program is providing mini-grants for worthy projects that integrate ESF Delta Scholars components into after-school services. Click here for the winners for 2007.

For more information on ESF's Delta Scholars program, contact Marsha Watson at 662.344.1668 or send an email.

If you have any questions about planning and financing a college education or selecting a career, please call 800.986.4322 (toll-free) or email us at collegeplanning@esfweb.com. If you wish to visit a College Planning Center, please call for an appointment to ensure that a counselor is available.