GameAbove, the alumni group at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), introduced the GameAbove Next-Generation (Next-Gen) Scholarship, offering financial support to EMU students on the brink of graduating but who are not able to finish their degree due to financial limitations. In partnership with the University and its Engage @ EMU office, GameAbove is designating $75,000 towards scholarships starting in January 2023. EMU estimates nearly 80 students could benefit from the new scholarship in the next two years.

“GameAbove wants to do as much as possible to help students succeed,” said Karen LeVert, an advisory board member with GameAbove. “College should be a life-enhancing, transformative experience, but for some students, it comes with financial challenges. Those students then face the difficult decision to drop out and likely not return to school. Working with the incredible Engage @ EMU team, we can provide students the opportunity to finish the journey they began, earn their degrees, and reap the tangible and intangible rewards of a college education.”

Engage @ EMU (https://www.emich.edu/engage/index.php) manages external partnerships with businesses and surrounding communities. The office also cultivates academic initiatives and programs focused on local impact. “We see many students with financial aid gaps during their final two semesters of college. We try our best to connect them with the resources to persist, finish school and graduate,” said Decky Alexander, professor and director of Engage @ EMU. “We have seen students facing these challenges fare better when they receive dedicated financial assistance to finish their degree. Therefore, we couldn’t be more appreciative of GameAbove’s support. The Next-Gen Scholarship could be a life-changer for some students.”

GameAbove Next-Gen Scholarship Eligibility

• Student must be enrolled part- or full-time in a qualified EMU program
• Student must have applied for all other available state and federal financial aid
• Student is required to take part in one of EMU’s persistence programs: Eagle Engage Corps, Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Success Coach, TRiO SSS, Holman or Honors College

With the start of the Next-Gen Scholarship, GameAbove now offers EMU students two financial assistance solutions. The new scholarship is part of GameAbove’s Students Matter Most—one of the first two initiatives from the group and aimed to enhance the student experience at EMU. The $1.5 million committed to EMU in 2019 is to provide financial resources for clubs, intramural sports, student senate allocation needs, student homelessness, housing insecurity, and other designated needs. Included was $50,000 donated to the Student Emergency Fund, which awards a one-time monetary aid to students needing to cover unforeseen expenses impacting their ability to continue their education. Since 2020, the emergency fund has supported nearly 600 students. GameAbove continues to provide funds.

“The Student Emergency Fund and Next-Gen Scholarship complement each other in allowing students to continue and finish school without having the burden of working multiple part-time jobs and having outside factors affect their learning,” says LeVert.

“Whatever we can do to help alleviate the financial burden, especially during challenging times, will help students get to the finish line,” said Eastern Michigan University President James Smith. "Thanks to GameAbove and the Next-Generation Scholarship, we can provide the financial help necessary so more students can graduate and be on the road to their desired place in our ever-changing, high-tech society."

GameAbove has committed nearly $25 million to EMU, supporting or creating programs that spark innovation and academic advancement. Those programs include enhancing faculty enrichment, supplying financial aid to students, and improving facilities that advance student-athlete achievements at EMU.