Earn to Learn expands to include Cochise College & offers 25 scholarships in inaugural year
Earn to Learn, the country’s largest matched-savings scholarship program, is joining with Cochise College to provide 25 current and incoming students with unparalleled financial and educational opportunities.
The innovative program, which was founded in Tucson, boasts a nearly decade-long track record of bringing a college education within reach of low-to moderate-income students, especially those from underrepresented groups and students of color. Most Earn to Learn graduates complete their college education with little or no student-loan debt.
“Financial assistance is so vital for college students, especially those in rural areas,” said Kate Hoffman, founder and CEO of Earn to Learn. “Cochise College is the first rural college that we’ve partnered with, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide both scholarships and personal support for students in the Cochise County area.”
Participating students set aside a portion of their own funds to unlock Earn to Learn financial assistance at an 8:1 match rate. An eligible student who sets aside $500/per academic year qualifies for $4,000/year in assistance to help defray the costs of a college education, including tuition, books, fees, housing, meal plans, parking, transportation, and more. Students can earn the match for up to four years, if they opt to transfer to a state university after their time at Cochise College.
To ensure the best chances at success, the financial assistance is paired with money management and financial empowerment training, practicing a regular savings habit, and success coaching to navigate higher education.
“Earn to Learn’s robust program of combining scholarships with both financial education and individualized support will be so beneficial to our students,” added Karen Emmer, Director of Financial Aid at Cochise College. “Cochise College already offers a number of ways to make attendance as affordable as possible, but this opportunity is invaluable for students.”
Scholarships slots have all been filled. They were open to current or incoming Cochise College students who will be attending full-time. Applicants had to qualify for in-state tuition and to receive $1 or more from the Federal Pell Grant.
About Earn to Learn
Earn to Learn is the largest and most successful matched-savings scholarship program in the country. It combines student savings with scholarships, financial education and college success coaching to help low-to moderate-income and under-represented students obtain a college education and graduate workforce-ready with little to no student loan debt. Over the course of nine cohorts, 2,224 Earn to Learn scholars have invested $3.8 million in their education, earning $31 million in additional aid: most graduate with no debt. For more information, visit earntolearn.org.
