Micro-scholarships Provide Financial Support, Broader Horizons
09/03/2014
Under a new program under way this fall, high school students can earn micro-scholarships toward UMass Lowell for their progress and accomplishments, starting as early as ninth grade. Students can earn micro-scholarships for a broad range of achievements each semester, such as getting perfect attendance, becoming a club leader, improving their GPA, visiting UMass Lowell’s campus, or completing certain courses.In addition to reducing the cost of college, the program provides students with specific goals to better prepare for a rigorous college education.
UMass Lowell is making the program available through a partnership with Raise.me, an education technology company focused on rethinking how students access financial aid. Raise.me has received funding support from organizations such the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and Facebook.
The Raise.me platform was developed because most scholarships and grants are awarded too late to affect students’ college ambitions or application decisions. As a result, many talented students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, don't apply to more selective colleges where they might receive attractive aid packages because they are intimidated by the list price. By giving students the ability to accrue scholarships starting in ninth grade, the program encourages students’ personal development while showing them how to become a more competitive applicant for any college.