ORLANDO, Fla. -- A University of Central Florida student who is dedicated to public service is going Ivy League after spending years on welfare and raising her young son by herself.

The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida, houses a very special collection of books. One of them is authored by Lalita Booth.

"I still think of myself as a rebellious 14-year-old," she said.

Lalita left home at age 14 and in the years that followed, she had a son named Kieren. She was a single mom who tried her best, but had to rely on welfare.

"I didn't want anyone else to ever have to go through that. Ever, ever!" Lalita said.

UCF's Nicole Gelfert has watched her amazing turnaround.

"The fact that she lived in poverty, she knows what that reality is," said Gelfert.

In May, Lalita will graduate with honors and is headed off to Harvard, where she will dedicate her life to reforming the welfare system.

"She has that belief in herself and in her cause and that makes her different from anyone I've ever worked with," said Gelfert.

Lalita has created a program to teach lower income people how to handle finances and save for the future. Her book kept in the honors college, was her thesis that helped her get accepted to the Ivy League.

From being homeless to Harvard is one very long journey. But Lalita said there was one thing in particular that has always kept her believing, her son Kieren who is 9-years old.

"We have this little ritual that we do every night when I tuck him in. I tell him, 'Thank you for being my son today.' and he tells me, 'Thank you for being my mom today.' It means a lot to me that he's proud of me," she said.

Lalita will pursue a master degree in business administration and public policy. Her Harvard education will cost $234,000 and she has $80,000 in scholarships.