Scholarships + Student Support
Tilga Foundation helps students remain in college and prepare for meaningful careers by removing financial and professional barriers. Through scholarships, the Excel+ Career Readiness and Leadership Program, and internship grants for opportunities in the United States and abroad, Tilga equips students with the support, skills and experience needed to succeed beyond the classroom.
Scholarships + Student Support
Tilga Foundation helps students remain in college and prepare for meaningful careers by removing financial and professional barriers. Through scholarships, the Excel+ Career Readiness and Leadership Program, and internship grants for opportunities in the United States and abroad, Tilga equips students with the support, skills and experience needed to succeed beyond the classroom.
“By absorbing the experiences and setbacks endured over my college career, I have implemented effective study habits in all of my classes by engaging in review groups with peers to deepen my understanding of complex topics.
Additionally, I focused on building connections with professors through in-person office hours every week to thoroughly review material, access research opportunities, and network. These efforts proved transformative, as evidenced by my consistent straight A's over the past year, culminating in recognition on the Dean's Honors List for the past four consecutive quarters. This academic success reflects not only my resilience but also highlights the importance of team collaboration in navigating daily challenges”.
ELLIOT RANDOLPH '24 B.S. in Biology
Excel+ Dean's Student Leader Award Recipient
Excel+ Career Readiness & Leadership Program
In partnership with UC Riverside, Wole Bakare collaborated with the Office of the Provost to develop Excel+. The program prepares students for success beyond the classroom. Through leadership development, career preparation, mentorship and practical learning experiences, the program helps students build the skills, confidence and professional connections needed for long term career advancement. Tilga Foundation provided the funding to bring the program to life.
Excel+ Career Readiness & Leadership Program
In partnership with UC Riverside, Wole Bakare collaborated with the Office of the Provost to develop Excel+. The program prepares students for success beyond the classroom. Through leadership development, career preparation, mentorship and practical learning experiences, the program helps students build the skills, confidence and professional connections needed for long term career advancement. Tilga Foundation provided the funding to bring the program to life.
“By absorbing the experiences and setbacks endured over my college career, I have implemented effective study habits in all of my classes by engaging in review groups with peers to deepen my understanding of complex topics.
Additionally, I focused on building connections with professors through in-person office hours every week to thoroughly review material, access research opportunities, and network. These efforts proved transformative, as evidenced by my consistent straight A's over the past year, culminating in recognition on the Dean's Honors List for the past four consecutive quarters. This academic success reflects not only my resilience but also highlights the importance of team collaboration in navigating daily challenges”.
ELLIOT RANDOLPH '24 B.S. in Biology; Excel+ Dean's Student Leader Award Recipient
Tilga Internship
Tilga Foundation provides eligible UC Riverside students, with preference given to Excel+ participants, grants to cover travel, accommodation, other expenses or lost income associated with unpaid internships in the United States and abroad.
“W i t h t h e h e l p o f t h e T i lg a G r a n t . . . I w a s a b l e t o spend t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 3 i n W a s h i n g t o n D . C . , i n t e r n i n g f o r t h e N a t i o n a l I m m i g r a t i o n F o r u m a s a Digital Communications intern…I received t h e d i s t i n c t h o n o r of having m y a r t i c l e o n t h e need for immigration policy reformation p u b l i s h e d by the Forum. It was a lifelong dream… and something I w i l l b e eternally grateful to h a v e h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y a n d privilege to receive ”
“The Tilga Grant w a s a n a b s o l u t e g a m e c h a n g e r f o r me. Nowadays, i n t e r n s h i p s a r e a b s o l u t e l y v i t a l i n order to get a j o b a f t e r g r a d u a t i o n . O n m y o w n , I never would have b e e n a b l e t o a f f o r d t h e c o s t involved in my internship . N o w I d o n o t h a v e t o worry being be h i n d a n d c a n c o n t i n u e pursuing my passions a n d d r e a m s . The comm m u n i c a t i o n a n d t e a m w o r k s k i l l s I g a i n e d during the i n t e r n s h i p h a v e p r o p e l l e d m y c a r e e r more t h a n a n y o t h e r t e c h n i c a l s k i l l . I q u i c k l y l e a r n e d t h a t w o r k i n g w i t h a t e a m w a s v i t a l t o s u c c e s s . A s i m p l e q u e s t i o n c o u l d f i x a l l o f m y p r o b l e m s , a n d w o r k i n g w i t h a p e e r c o u l d h e l p s o l v e a n a s s i g n m e n t i n h a l f o f t h e t i m e ”
Scholarships by Institution
University of California Riverside
Tilga Scholarship for UCR African Student Association
Tilga Scholarship for UCR School of Medicine Premedical Postbaccalaureate Program
The Ohio State University
Tilga Scholarship Fund for The Ohio State University Bell National Resource Center
St. Charles Preparatory School
St. Charles Preparatory School Tilga Scholarship Endowment Fund
Scholarships by Institution
University of California Riverside
Tilga Scholarship for UCR African Student Association
Tilga Scholarship for UCR School of Medicine Premedical Postbaccalaureate Program
The Ohio State University
Tilga Scholarship Fund for The Ohio State University Bell National Resource Center
St. Charles Preparatory School
St. Charles Preparatory School Tilga Scholarship Endowment Fund
Selected Past Recipients Through 2021
2021 Scholars
CJ Quansah (The Ohio State University)
2020 Scholars
Sabo Kpade (Rhode Island School of Design)
Jessica Porter (University of California Riverside)
2019 Scholars
Michael Alonzo (University of California Riverside)
Brook Yirgu (University of California Riverside)
2018 Scholars
Crystal Witherspoon (UCR)
William Vasquez (UCR)
2017 Scholars
Jo Gbujama (UCR)
Marvel Johnson (UCR)
Jeremiah Gordon (UCR)
James Rothschild (UCR)
Marian Sagoe (UCR)
2016 Scholars
Maaiik Delaney (UCR)
Dalayna Gardner (UCR)
Alexander Wilson Jr. (UCR)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2015 Scholars
Damian L. Smikle (OSU)
David J. Johnson (OSU)
David Rodriguez Jr. (St. Charles Prep)
2014 Scholars
Michael Mullen II (OSU)
Damian L. Smikle (OSU)
Daryl Terry Jr. (OSU)
David J. Johnson (OSU)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2013 Scholars
David J. Johnson (OSU)
Armand Austin (OSU)
Christopher B. Brown (OSU)
Luis L. Halley II (OSU)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2012 Scholars
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
Selected Past Recipients Through 2021
2021 Scholars
CJ Quansah (The Ohio State University)
2020 Scholars
Sabo Kpade (Rhode Island School of Design)
Jessica Porter (University of California Riverside)
2019 Scholars
Michael Alonzo (University of California Riverside)
Brook Yirgu (University of California Riverside)
2018 Scholars
Crystal Witherspoon (UCR)
William Vasquez (UCR)
2017 Scholars
Jo Gbujama (UCR)
Marvel Johnson (UCR)
Jeremiah Gordon (UCR)
James Rothschild (UCR)
Marian Sagoe (UCR)
2016 Scholars
Maaiik Delaney (UCR)
Dalayna Gardner (UCR)
Alexander Wilson Jr. (UCR)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2015 Scholars
Damian L. Smikle (OSU)
David J. Johnson (OSU)
David Rodriguez Jr. (St. Charles Prep)
2014 Scholars
Michael Mullen II (OSU)
Damian L. Smikle (OSU)
Daryl Terry Jr. (OSU)
David J. Johnson (OSU)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2013 Scholars
David J. Johnson (OSU)
Armand Austin (OSU)
Christopher B. Brown (OSU)
Luis L. Halley II (OSU)
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
2012 Scholars
LaFred Gibson (Tuskegee University)
Have a question or want to connect?
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Reach out with inquiries about scholarships, the Tilga Art Prize, or general collaboration opportunities.