HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — While many scholarships focus on helping students get into college, one organization is dedicated to supporting those who are already enrolled, ensuring they earn their degrees and secure good jobs.
The rising cost of college can be a significant obstacle for students nearing graduation, especially with this year’s delays in the FAFSA process.
The Last Mile Education Fund targets late-stage, low-income college students. This nonprofit helps them graduate and enter the tech workforce by providing grants based on potential rather than past achievements. Unlike traditional scholarships, which compare applicants to one another, Last Mile reviews each applicant individually. This approach particularly benefits underrepresented minorities in the IT field, including Black, Hispanic, and female students.
In addition to covering tuition and textbooks like conventional scholarships, the funding can be used for other necessities such as food and transportation, helping students through their final semesters.
“The main goal is to bridge the late-stage gap,” said Ruthe Farmer, the founder and CEO. “Only 20% of students from the lowest two income quartiles graduate within six to eight years of starting college. It’s a huge loss, considering they’ve already put in the work and shown their potential. We need to provide the support they need to graduate, enter the workforce, and contribute to our growing innovation economy.”
Applications are accepted year-round and are simple to complete. Since its inception, Last Mile has awarded over 8,000 grants totaling more than $8.7 million.
