Closing the Opportunity Gap
Why Scholarship Education
Matters Now More Than Ever
Discover how our initiatives are making a difference
Breaking the Cycle: How Scholarships Address the $1.7 Trillion College Debt Crisis
Each year, over $100 million in scholarships go unclaimed due to lack of awareness and
application challenges. By closing the scholarship access gap, we can help students overcome
financial barriers, achieve economic mobility, and avoid delays in key milestones such as
homeownership or entrepreneurship.
College Debt Crisis Statistics
✔ Total U.S. Student Loan Debt: Over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt nationally.
✔ Average Student Loan Debt per Graduate: $30,000+ for the average college
graduate.
✔ Percentage of Students Graduating with Debt: 62% of students graduate with debt.
Barriers to College Affordability
✔ Rising Tuition Costs: Over the last 20 years, college tuition has increased by 144%.
✔ Family Financial Strain: 40% of students say that college costs are a financial strain on
their families.
✔ Percentage of Students Relying on Financial Aid: Nearly 85% of students receive
some form of financial aid to afford college.
Scholarship Access Gaps:
✔ Unclaimed Scholarships: Over $100 million in scholarships go unclaimed each year
due to lack of awareness and application challenges.
✔ Low Scholarship Success Rates: Only 1 in 8 students receive a scholarship.
✔ Disparities in Access: Low-income students are far less likely to receive scholarships
compared to their higher-income peers.
Economic Mobility
✔ Student Debt Impact on Future Wealth: Graduates with student debt delay major life
milestones such as buying a home or starting a business by up to 7 years.
✔ Impact on Underserved Communities: Students from underserved communities are
disproportionately affected, having higher debt burdens and fewer financial resources.
College Debt Crisis Statistics
✔ Total U.S. Student Loan Debt: Over $1.7 trillion in student loan debt nationally.
✔ Average Student Loan Debt per Graduate: $30,000+ for the average college
graduate.
✔ Percentage of Students Graduating with Debt: 62% of students graduate with debt.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower students to achieve debt-free education through innovative
scholarship planning, financial literacy, and access to life-changing opportunities, transforming
lives and communities for generations.
A better way to give
Our Story
Scholarship Education Outreach was born out of a deep belief that every student deserves a fair
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chance to achieve their dreams, regardless of their financial background. Our founder, Niakesha Hollins, saw firsthand the overwhelming challenges students face in navigating the complex
world of scholarships and financial aid. When she witnessed her own daughter struggling to
manage scholarship applications and the daunting college costs, it sparked the idea to create a
resource that would simplify the process. What began as a small effort to help one student has
grown into a movement that has empowered countless students to pursue higher education
without the burden of debt.
Our Program Overview
We empower students to achieve debt-free college education through interactive workshops, tools, and resources. Our programs are designed to increase scholarship awareness, build financial literacy, and foster an organized mindset for success. From hands-on scholarship planning sessions to community-driven initiatives, we equip students and families with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the scholarship process confidently.
Together, we’re breaking barriers and creating pathways to education and economic mobility.
transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom. By combining practical knowledge Our programs are designed to be engaging, fun, and interactive, providing students with with hands-on activities, we ensure that students are not only learning but also applying what they’ve learned to real-world situations.
