After years of paying for college out of pocket and searching for scholarships, Adejuwon Balogun refused to give up on his goals. That determination eventually led the first-generation Fayetteville State University graduate to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), where a scholarship and participation in Leadership Institute helped open doors to life-changing opportunities.
Through TMCF, Balogun gained financial support, professional development opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose as he worked toward earning a Bachelor of Science in computer science with a minor in cybersecurity.
Balogun’s journey began long before college. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the United States with his family as a teenager in search of new opportunities. Witnessing the sacrifices his parents made to provide a better life motivated him to make the most of his second chance.
“In Nigeria, school wasn’t something I took seriously,” Balogun said. “When I came to the U.S., I wanted a fresh start.”
Determined to honor his family’s sacrifices, he excelled in high school and became involved in extracurricular activities. Although he was accepted to every college he applied to, there were moments when he questioned whether pursuing a degree was worth the financial burden. Ultimately, he chose to continue his education, knowing it would create opportunities for both him and his family.
At Fayetteville State University, Balogun remained committed to studying computer science, but paying for college proved challenging. He paid for his first two semesters entirely out of pocket and spent countless hours researching funding opportunities, meeting with university staff and advocating for himself.
His persistence paid off when the university provided funding for one semester. Rather than viewing it as a temporary solution, Balogun used the opportunity as motivation to continue searching for ways to finance the remainder of his education.
That determination eventually led him to TMCF.
After applying for numerous scholarships without success, Balogun discovered TMCF and applied for a scholarship with Vanguard. Receiving the renewable award marked a turning point in his college journey.
“It was the first scholarship I had ever received,” Balogun said. “When I found out it was renewable, I broke down in tears.”
The scholarship provided financial relief and reaffirmed that his hard work was paying off. Inspired by the experience, Balogun later attended Leadership Institute, where he connected with students and professionals from across the country.
Meeting other first-generation students and immigrants who had overcome similar challenges gave him confidence and renewed motivation to pursue his goals.
Today, Balogun encourages students to remain persistent, even when opportunities seem out of reach.
“There were times I wanted to give up after being denied scholarships,” he said. “But if you keep working hard and stay consistent, it will pay off.”
Now a college graduate, Balogun is preparing to enter the workforce and begin the next chapter of his career, carrying forward the lessons, connections and support he gained through TMCF.
