Fall 2026 Winner of the Out-of-State Student Scholarship

Jaylen White

Congratulations to Jaylen White, who has been selected as the Fall 2026 recipient of the Out-of-State Student Scholarship. From learning to navigate Atlanta without a car to regrouping after the theft of his school supplies, Jaylen has shown the determination his Detroit community instilled in him.

Read Their Essay Here:

Coming to Morehouse College from Michigan was one of the most exciting decisions of my life, but it also came with challenges I was not fully prepared for. Leaving my family and the city that raised me to start over in an unfamiliar environment tested me in ways I did not expect.

One of the first difficulties I faced was simply getting around. Back home in Detroit, I knew every street and shortcut. In Atlanta, I had no car, no familiar landmarks, and no one to show me around. Something as simple as getting groceries became a stressful experience. I had to figure out public transportation, learn a new city, and do it all while adjusting to college coursework at the same time. There were moments where I felt completely on my own in a way I had never experienced before.

Being away from my family was another weight I carried daily. Growing up, my family was always close by. In college, that closeness was reduced to FaceTime calls and phone conversations. There were nights when I just wanted to be home, and a phone screen was the only connection I had to the people who know me best. It helped, but it was never the same as actually being there.

Then came a moment that truly tested my resilience. My backpack which contained all of my school supplies and electronics was stolen from Walmart. Losing everything at once, my notebooks, materials, and the tools I needed to succeed academically, was devastating. As an out-of-state student without easy access to extra resources, replacing everything was not simple. I had to problem-solve quickly, reach out for help, and push through the stress of that situation while still keeping up with my classes.

But every one of those challenges taught me something. I learned how to adapt, advocate for myself, and keep moving even when circumstances felt overwhelming. I plan to overcome these difficulties by continuing to build my support system at Morehouse, staying connected to my family even from a distance, and using every setback as motivation rather than a reason to quit. My community back in Detroit did not raise me to give up, and I carry that with me every single day.