U-Lead Financial Aid Awards
Financial Aid Awards
U-Lead Athens offers 4 main types of financial aid awards for students who attend U-Lead regularly and contribute to the organization. The Brayan Abreu Travel Scholarship is also listed below as a related opportunity.
Important!
These scholarships are available for U-Lead students only.
To apply, contact U-Lead to receive the correct application link.
Contact U-Lead2026-2027 Deadlines
April 17, 2026
If you have already been accepted to college or are renewing your scholarship
May 8, 2026
Apply as soon as you have been admitted
U-Lead Athens Short-term Loan applications are open year-round.
Available Awards and Related Opportunities:
U-Lead Athens Scholarship
Only students who are not eligible for state or federal financial aid are eligible for this scholarship. It supports 2-year or 4-year colleges in the US, including certificate and diploma programs, for tuition, fees, books, and other college expenses.
Apply once per year by the stated deadline. If your financial gap is more than $7,000, U-Lead requests a meeting with you and a parent or guardian. Contact U-Lead to receive the application link.
Eligibility:
Foreign-born students without permanent residency or US citizenship who demonstrate financial need, have been admitted to or are enrolled in college, applied to other scholarships, attended 8 U-Lead meetings in the last academic year, and provided service to U-Lead. Priority is given to tuition gaps of $7,000 or less.
U-Lead Athens Book Scholarship
Only students who are eligible for state or federal financial aid are eligible for this scholarship. It is for students admitted to or enrolled in 2-year or 4-year colleges in the US, including certificate and diploma programs, and helps cover additional college expenses.
The maximum award is up to $1,000 for the year, based on student need and funding availability. Apply once per year by the stated deadline. Contact U-Lead to receive the application link.
Eligibility:
Students with foreign-born parents who qualify for state and/or federal financial aid, have additional financial need, are admitted to or enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college or university, completed 5 hours of service for U-Lead Athens, and attended 8 U-Lead meetings in at least one academic year.
U-Lead Athens Short-term Loan
Any student is eligible to apply for this short-term, interest-free loan for college deposits or payments due before other scholarships or financial aid are received, and for other college-related emergencies.
Loan applications are open year-round. Repayment begins with at least a partial payment two months after receiving the loan, or the loan must be repaid in full as soon as the college reimburses the student. Contact U-Lead to receive the application link.
Eligibility:
Students with financial need who have been admitted to or are enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college or university, regularly attend U-Lead meetings, complete 5 hours of service for U-Lead Athens, and commit to repaying the loan within 12 months with no interest.
U-Lead Graduate School Scholarship
Any current or former U-Lead student enrolling in graduate school in the next academic year is eligible to apply. This scholarship supports masters, doctoral, and professional programs for tuition, fees, books, and other graduate school expenses.
Awards are determined by student need and U-Lead Athens funding availability. Apply once per year by the deadline. Contact U-Lead to receive the application link.
Eligibility:
Current or former U-Lead students enrolling in graduate school in the next academic year. Priority is given to students without access to other sources of financial aid.
Brayan Abreu Travel Scholarship
Helps cover travel expenses for college visits and campus tours. This scholarship honors the memory of Brayan Abreu, a dedicated U-Lead student who understood the importance of finding the right college fit.
Eligibility:
High school seniors or current students planning college visits, demonstrated financial need, active U-Lead participation, must provide visit confirmation and expense receipts.
Application and Eligibility
General Eligibility for 2026-2027
- Attend U-Lead regularly and contribute to the organization
- Are foreign-born or have foreign-born parents
- Demonstrate financial need
- Live in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, or Oglethorpe counties
- Will be taking classes at a college or university in the United States during the 2026-2027 academic year
Priority
Priority will be given to students who need to cover tuition, partially or in full, with gaps no larger than $7,000 and who show proof of having applied to other scholarships, regardless of the result.
Application Types
- First-time application: for students who have NOT received a scholarship from U-Lead Athens before
- Renewal: for students who have ALREADY received a scholarship from U-Lead Athens
Eligibility for First-Time Applications
For the U-Lead Athens Scholarship and U-Lead Graduate School Scholarship
- Are foreign-born
- Graduate School Scholarship note: you may be foreign-born or have foreign-born parents
- Do not have permanent residency or citizenship in the United States
- Graduate School Scholarship note: you may have permanent residency or citizenship
- Demonstrate financial need
- Have been admitted to or are currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college, a post-secondary institution, or a graduate program
- Have applied to other scholarships, regardless of the result
- Regularly attend U-Lead meetings (8 during the last academic year)
- Have provided service to U-Lead, such as DREAMfest, speaking to classes, presenting about U-Lead at events, helping with social media, or similar support
For the U-Lead Athens Book Scholarship
- Have foreign-born parents
- Qualify for state and/or federal financial aid
- Have additional financial need
- Have been admitted to or are currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college or university
- Have completed 5 hours of service for U-Lead Athens
- Regularly attended U-Lead meetings (8 in at least one academic year)
For the U-Lead Athens Short-term Loan
- Any student is eligible to apply
- Have financial need
- Have been admitted to or are currently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college or university
- Regularly attend U-Lead meetings (8 during the last academic year)
- Have completed 5 hours of service for U-Lead Athens, such as speaking at public events, helping with parking during football game days, participating in DreamFest, or helping set up the room before and after meetings
- Commit to repaying the loan within 12 months, with no interest, beginning with at least a partial payment two months after receiving the loan or repaying the loan in full as soon as the college reimburses the student
Renewals
A renewal is for students who have ALREADY received a scholarship from U-Lead Athens.
Renewal requirements will be provided when you contact U-Lead for the application link.
Note for Tech College Students:
If you attend Athens Tech, North Georgia Tech, or Gwinnett Tech, you are required to request to be reassessed for out-of-state tuition instead of paying international tuition. This request must be made early enough to receive confirmation before the payment deadline. U-Lead can help you write this letter.
- North Georgia Tech requires the letter only once, but you should check every semester that the out-of-state rate was applied
- Athens Tech requires the letter the first time and then a follow-up with the cashier every semester to make sure the tuition was readjusted
- Gwinnett Tech requires that you consult an enrollment advisor
Ready to apply?
Contact us to learn about current scholarship opportunities and application deadlines. We are committed to supporting students regardless of their immigration status.
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