It’s Giving Tuesday, and I wanted to share some non-profits that help increase access to college for a wide variety of students. Please consider donating to one of them:

Support For Underrepresented Students:

HALI (High Achieving Low Income) Access Network:

The members of this network help low-income students throughout Africa prepare for, apply to and succeed in colleges and universities in the USA and worldwide. HALI works to increase scholarship opportunities for these students and to provide pathways to employment in their home countries upon graduation. Find a member organization to support directly via their directory. http://haliaccess.org/directory/

National College Access Network:

NCAN member organizations work to support underrepresented students, including students of color, low-income students, and those who are the first in their families to attend college, in their goals to attend and graduate from college. They provide mentorship, coaching, scholarship counseling, ongoing social and emotional support, as well as career guidance. Find a member organization to support directly via their directory. National College Access Network Members

Questbridge

Questbridge provides free college counseling to underrepresented students, as well as coordinates a “college matching” process that helps students find schools interested in helping them succeed. Questbridge universitiy partners offer full tuition scholarships and often additional financial, academic and social support to ensure matched students persist through graduation. https://www.questbridge.org/donate

Support for Foreign Service Students:

AAFSW

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) offers several scholarships for both students of academic merit and students with IEPs or other academic support programs. Contact them directly to donate to their scholarship funds. Read more at: https://www.aafsw.org/services/aafsw-awards/aafsw-youth-merit-scholarships/

AFSA

The American Foreign Service Association offers merit scholarships to children of FS employees and an art scholarship contest to all high schoolers interested in foreign affairs. Many of these scholarships are endowed through generous donations from members of the FS. Inquiries about donations can be sent to capps@afsa.org.

FSYF

While the Foreign Student Youth Foundation offers a merit-based scholarship and art and writing contests to members, the FSYF also helps college-bound FS youth with programs in the DC-area and online. FSYF hosts an annual college-planning workshop for teens, as well as a Facebook group and newsletter with information helpful to FS teens. Support their work with a donation at: https://www.fsyf.org/Support

FEEA

The Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund supports the dependents (both children and spouses) of US government employees by offering over 200 merit scholarships of between $1000 and $5000 each year. FEEA’s activities are funded entirely by donations from USG employees. Support via https://feea.org/support/ or sign up to participate in their Run/Walk Fundraiser in April.

I’d love to hear about other great organizations that support college access for all students. What are your favorites?