The Guardian Scholars program is a comprehensive program that supports children from challenging backgrounds who have experienced significant hardships in their efforts to gain a college education. These youth are forced to make difficult transitions into adulthood often without traditional family support. By providing a five-year scholarship, the Guardian Scholars program provides the opportunity to change individual lives, realize true independence and reach their full potential. The Guardian Scholars program is a working partnership between the private sector and public agencies designed to achieve significant synergies which allow us to support our students effectively and cost-efficiently. The model is designed to provide each student individual attention and access to supportive resources to assist in achieving academic and life success. Success is dependent on a team effort that combines the students, the college, donors and mentors.