Earn To Learn

Programs: Earn to learn operates the largest and most successful matched-savings scholarship program in the country. We aim to distribute at least 10,000 scholarships by the year 2020 and transform the states economy with the addition of thousands of college graduates. Ten thousand college graduates will create an additional $22,445,000 in economic benefit to the state (college benefits calculator, college success arizona). Earn to learn is a revolutionary "savings to scholarship" program that empowers low- to moderate-income students in arizona to successfully complete college through matched-savings scholarships, financial capability education, and success coaching. Eligible students, who complete the personal finance training program and establish a habit of savings by making a minimum of six consecutive deposits totaling $500 in an individual development account (ida), can receive an 8:1 match on their savings, up to $4,000 per academic year. These funds can be applied to tuition and tuition-related costs at arizona state university (asu), northern arizona university (nau) or the university of arizona (ua). Earn to learn is a collaborative effort between the arizona board of regents, asu, nau, ua and the u. S. Department of health and human services. It is designed to provide students with the opportunity, incentive, education and support critical to become a successful college student. Youth from low-income families who want to get a college degree face tough barriers in arizona, where universities have been hit hard by budget cuts, leading to severe tuition hikes. At the same time, arizona is ranked 49th in the united states for the amount of state-funded grant dollars per capita (annual survey report on state-sponsored student financial aid). When low-income students do attend college, they often have difficulty persisting throughout the four-year period and graduating, and are likely strapped with overwhelming student loan debt. Arizona, with just 26. 4 percent of its population age 25 or older holding at least a bachelors degree, significantly trails the nation when it comes to college achievement (cfed assets & opportunity scorecard). Further, college attendance and graduation rates of low-income students in arizonawhen compared to their middle-income and wealthier peersare equally as bleak. The college enrollment rate for low-income high school graduates is a full 30 percent lower than their wealthier peers, at the same time arizonans in the highest-income households earn four-year degrees at a rate 4. 3 times higher than those in the lowest-income households (pew research center). Education is universally recognized as one of the most fundamental building blocks for human development and one of the strongest instruments for poverty reduction and revitalization of local communities from the inside out. Unfortunately, investing in education is difficult for low- to moderate-income families. The financial capacity of low-income families makes the rising costs of higher education one of the major barriers to entry. An estimated 60 percent of individuals in arizona do not have emergency funds in case of a financial household crisis, such as unexpected medical bills, let alone the capacity to save for college. This is born out of the fact that an overwhelming 71 percent of arizona parents have not set aside money for their childrens college education. Even for students accepted to a four-year university, almost 40 percent do not enroll, with cost being the single greatest factor. Further investment in higher education, and especially in programs that allow students to leverage their own savings and resources, is paramount. Without it, the cycle of generational poverty promises to continue.