Hamilton Senior Receives Full Scholarship Through QuestBridge

ELIZABETH, NJ - Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy senior Yusrah Lawal has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania through the 2025 QuestBridge National College Match, a national program that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 55 of the nation’s top colleges.Lawal was among 2,550 seniors of the Class of 2026 from throughout the nation who were recognized.This year’s Match Scholarship recipients embody excellence in so many ways, and we're excited to support them as they continue to dream big,” said Ana Rowena Mallari, Co-Founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “Since QuestBridge’s founding over 30 years ago, we've witnessed the incredible impact our Scholars can make in their lives, families, and communities, and we know that this year's students will make a positive impact, too.”The Match Scholarship — provided by the school — is made up of a generous financial aid package that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The Match Scholarship does not include loans or a parental contribution.Lawal is currently the No. 1-ranked student of Hamilton Preparatory Academy’s Class of 2026 with a 4.75 GPA and has appeared on the honor roll each marking period since seventh grade. She also earned the AP® Scholar with Honor Award from the College Board, which recognizes exemplary college-level achievement for attaining an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of three or higher on four or more exams. Lawal was also awarded the 2025 Joy Prescott Humanitarian Award, presented by the Kean University Leadership Council, for her dedication to community service, including serving as an online tutor in mathematics and science and volunteering for a local food bank.“Congratulations to Yusrah for receiving a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania,” said Elizabeth Board of Education President Maria Z. Carvalho. “As a Board, we are so proud that we have had at least one student from among our eight high schools match with a QuestBridge partner school for four straight years. Yusrah is the latest of those matches to show that hard work and determination can lead to realizing your dreams.”