Grace Hayden Sets a Record

Throughout her life and career, Atlanta native Grace Hayden (B.A. '15) has been guided by the philosophy that anyone, at any age, can make a difference. This belief and her passion for helping others resulted in a Georgia State University milestone: becoming at age 27 the youngest donor to establish a scholarship at the university in its more than 100 year history. In 2020, Hayden launched the Grace Hayden Impact Scholarship, designed to support students interested in economics.

As a Georgia State student, Hayden sought ways to combine her interests in finance with her desire to help others. She started her career as an insurance agent at age 19 and found clients among her classmates, many of whom were nontraditional students who needed insurance while pursuing their degrees. Though establishing a scholarship seemed intimidating, Hayden learned that it was possible to make a significant difference over time through small and consistent donations. Now, she urges others to do the same: have the courage to take the small steps needed to make a big difference.