Angelica Sapon remembers the hesitation in her parents’ voices. Their daughter wanted to transfer from Houston Community College to a private Christian university, a dream that seemed out of reach. Like many first generation students, Angelica navigated college as uncharted territory, unsure of what opportunities might exist beyond the path she knew.
But sometimes, the doors we think are closed are simply waiting to be opened.
Today, Angelica is thriving at Houston Christian University as a computer science major and recipient of the Grace Hopper Scholarship, named after the innovative computer scientist who believed in breaking barriers. The scholarship didn’t just make her education possible, it transformed what she believed was possible for herself.
“Being able to attend a private university on a scholarship in itself is a blessing,” Angelica reflects. “The scholarship allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a web developer.”
A Private University is More Affordable Than You Think
Angelica’s story illuminates a truth that many prospective students don’t realize: an HCU education is often much more affordable than some may think. What looks like a far out dream becomes an attainable reality once students begin the application journey and discover the scholarships, grants and support systems available to them.
“I wasn’t even aware of the opportunities it offered here,” Angelica admits about her initial perceptions of HCU. She came with faith and the encouragement of a friend who had graduated, not knowing about the financial aid that would make her path possible.
That leap of faith opened doors she never knew existed.
Support for First Generation Transfer Students
Beyond tuition assistance, Angelica found herself embraced by HCU’s TRIO program, designed specifically to support first generation students like herself. TRIO welcomed me with such warmth when I first joined,” she says. “It allowed me to see the world outside, that there is more than meets the eye.”
Through TRIO’s social, academic and cultural events, Angelica built the connections and confidence she needed to thrive as a transfer student. The program challenged her to step outside her comfort zone, leading prayer for fellow TRIO students and delivering a speech about the unique challenges first generation students face. It also introduced her to the TAPC Program, which taught her valuable lessons about consistency and discipline among new and exciting academic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Kaleo Discipleship program nurtured her spiritual growth, creating a holistic support system that addressed every dimension of her college experience. “Both programs helped me socially by finding a community,” she explains.
Faith-Based Education Meets Career Goals
In HCU’s computer science program, Angelica found more than technical training. She discovered a faith-integrated education that reminds her “even in the small things, God is there too.” Professors who open class with prayer and weave Scripture into their presentations create an environment where her faith and her future career aren’t separate pursuits but interconnected callings.
Working collaboratively with teammates on projects, she’s developing the communication skills she’ll need as a web developer, learning that technology careers are as much about people as they are about code.
When Angelica looks back on her journey from community college to HCU, she sees clear direction and the ways scholarship support from HCU made her calling financially feasible. Her advice to other transfer students considering HCU? “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask to clarify, ask to understand and seek answers to help others. You don’t know when the opportunity will show up.”
Making Christian Higher Education Accessible
Angelica’s story is one of many at Houston Christian University. Students from diverse backgrounds are discovering that the education they thought was beyond reach is actually within grasp. Through scholarships like the Grace Hopper Scholarship and comprehensive support programs, HCU is committed to making Christian higher education accessible to students who will go on to lead, serve and innovate in their fields.
Whether she’s solving puzzles in her free time, learning piano or journaling prayers to God, Angelica carries the confidence of someone who knows that doors can open when we have enough faith to knock.
And for first generation students wondering if they belong at a place like HCU, Angelica’s thriving presence at HCU offers a resounding yes.
For information about scholarships and financial aid opportunities at Houston Christian University, prospective students are encouraged to begin the application process and connect with the financial aid office to discover what support might be available for their unique journey.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GRACE HOPPER SCHOLARSHIP
Apply to transfer today