Education is more important than ever before, and data shows that 65% of all jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in order to be hired.
On top of this, college graduates’ average salaries are almost two times greater than those of their non-degree peers, outlining just how essential getting a higher education can be.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a college education, and even though community college is a thing, some low-income families can’t even afford that much.
In order to help offset this, several organizations across the US have taken matters into their own hands, offering low-income Americans an opportunity to get a college education at a significantly lower cost, or even for free, so long as they adhere to certain rules.
Keep reading to learn more about these organizations and what you can do to get a college education for yourself.
Why is it important
Statistics show that while the majority of low-income students do attend community college at some point, the graduation percentage is abysmal.
In California, this is much more evident than in other places, as it’s been found that low-income students are half as likely to enroll in a 4-year college program than their high-income peers.
This data is devastating and speaks volumes of the many necessary changes to America’s education system, which is something that’s easier said than done.
With the help of certain organizations, low-income students can secure a college education for themselves, earning their shot at getting employed with ease rather than having to struggle with a high-school diploma.
This advocates for equal opportunities, something that should’ve been implemented long ago, and maybe with the work of these organizations, we’ll finally see colleges become more affordable for the average American family.
Equal opportunity schools
EOS is a program focused on making sure everyone gets the same treatment when it comes to education, referring to one’s ability to be placed in a challenging yet rewarding class.
Through their initiative, they drive teachers to have one-on-one discussions with high-achieving students, which may give them some insight into the many educational opportunities available to them and the benefits they could reap with AP classes.
Through their work, they’ve managed to triple the number of students taking part in high-level courses with participating schools, which only goes to show that a small nudge is enough to help a student discover their full potential.
This has helped change the way low-income students view education and has given them some hope for the future, as they know that no matter how impossible something may seem at the start, a bit of dedication can get them anywhere.
Education trust
Through EdTrust, students from all backgrounds and nationalities can gain access to educational justice, and this is particularly true for low-income and students of ethnic origin.
EdTrust works with educators, alumni, parents, and policymakers to make education an enjoyable experience for all students, no matter their skin color or nationality.
On top of this, they offer assistive services to students enrolled in their program, bridging certain opportunity gaps created by income level and circumstances some students may be experiencing.
EdTrust works on both a state and federal level, ensuring a high quality of education across the nation, and by monitoring current trends, they can reshape education policies to match the current narrative and mindset of the students.
Apart from this, EdTrust has made significant improvements to remote education, offering resources to students that were impacted by the sudden shift to remote classrooms due to the COVID-19 global pandemic that struck this planet some 3 years ago.
iMentor
Finally, we have iMentor, an organization that’s developed a system that matches low-income students from across the nation with high-quality mentors.
This ensures that the student in question is receiving all the high-quality education they may need without ever having to pay the immense cost of a high-end mentor.
By working together with their personal educator, students can build a strong relationship that will last for years to come, giving them a highly educated friend for the future and the knowledge they’ll need to conquer the college degree of their choice.
These mentors sometimes maintain contact with students even through the first year of college, which is particularly important for some students that need that extra “push” to get things going.
On top of this, the organization helps students pick out the right college for their needs and passions, which goes in tandem with the mentor selection.
Bottom line
Education is expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way.
With the help of organizations like EdTrust and iMentor, students across the US can gain access to a higher education level without ever having to pay the immense cost that’s normally applied.
Low-income students now have more opportunities than ever before, and it’d be a shame to let them all go to waste.
