Rachel Gast Memorial Scholarship

Purpose

The Rachel Gast Memorial Scholarship was founded in memory of Rachel Gast, a native Georgian and graduate student at Georgia State University.

Rachel began her undergraduate college studies at Georgia State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in international affairs at the University of Georgia in Athens. She put her degree to work at the International Rescue Committee, helping to resettle refugees arriving in the metro Atlanta area from countries around the world. She found them employment, assisted them in adapting to their new culture and surroundings and sought resources for them. She respected them and loved her chosen career.

Rachel was a passionate traveler and cared about the plight of people across the globe. She opened her heart, not only to her family, friends, and animals, but to individuals and groups she had yet to meet.

Rachel died in 2012 from injuries received in a car accident. She was just weeks shy of her 28th birthday. This scholarship was founded by her family to assist students who were born outside of the United States and are pursuing a degree at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College.

Scholarship Qualifications

• Be an immigrant or international student.
• Have completed at least one semester at Perimeter College.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from a Perimeter College Staff/Faculty member or non-related professional.
• Submit essay response (maximum 500 words):
  -Please submit an essay describing life in your native country and why you or your family chose to come to the United States. What do you hope to achieve and how will your studies at Perimeter help you reach your goals?

The scholarship is awarded every fall and spring term.