10-Year-Old Bucks Boy Gets Full College Scholarship

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —David Balogun has a full schedule.

But it's not like most 10-year-old boys. His is filled with classes, classes that seem like most adults would try to avoid taking if they were in college.

David recently received his high school diploma during a ceremony at Penn State University and is spending his summer online juggling a few courses at Bucks County Community College and four courses at Southern New Hampshire University.

David lists the classes during a recent interview with Patch: Introduction to Python IT, Introduction to Structured Database, Precalculus with Limits, and English Composition II.

Such is not the life of someone who should be preparing for 5th grade. But David is way beyond that.

"I still don't think it's a big change," David says.

In February, David celebrated his high school graduation from the Reach Cyber Charter, a statewide, tuition-free online school based in Harrisburg. He finally received his diploma earlier this month.

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"It was surreal," his mother Ronya said of the June 8 ceremony at Penn State University. "His father (Henry) had to walk up to the podium since he's only 10 years old."

David turned 10 on May 10. He's not making a big deal, though, about his birthday or getting his diploma.

"I'm happy I suppose," he states.

With two semesters of courses at Bucks County Community College, David set his sights on greater educational achievement.

He was recently accepted to Southern New Hampshire University as the youngest learner in the institution’s 90-year history, enrolling at age 9, the school said.

His mother and the school said that David received a full tuition scholarship from the online university to pursue his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and IT.

"This milestone not only celebrates David's extraordinary intellect but also highlights the accessibility of online education," the school said in a press release. "With an insatiable passion for learning, David has several careers in mind and knows that with the support of his family, 'the sky is the limit.'”

“We are thrilled to welcome David to the diverse SNHU community,” said Paul LeBlanc, the university's president. “His unique perspectives and contributions will enrich the culture of our university, and we are proud to be part of his educational journey. David is an amazing young man filled with so much personality. We are dedicated to ensuring that he receives an education that aligns with his remarkable abilities and empowers him to reach his full potential."

David's mother was hoping to pursue an Ivy League education for her son. But after discussions with some universities, it didn't come about at this time.

"I'm not sending a 10-year-old to a college campus," she said. "I'd have to walk him myself from class to class. The Ivy League was very standoffish. It's very sad to say that. I think they just want money, not child prodigies and smart people."

She said one college said that David would have to live on campus and would be provided with a guardian.

"We lost interest," his mother said. "But thank God there were other avenues and schools who wanted to work with him so David could achieve his goals and grow.

In fourth grade, David tested at a sixth and seventh-grade level and began completing courses and grades at his own pace, finishing third through 12th grade within 2.5 years.

His mother loves David's new college opportunity. And so does David, adding that SNHU is "very helpful."

"They are very student-oriented," his mother said. "They have an advisor that reaches out once a week. They are friendly people. He's part of their community and he's also home and here with me."