Increased funds help future Sun Devils save for college

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Arizona State University a grant, totaling $1 million dollars, which will go toward the Earn to Learn scholarship program. ASU will match the grant amount, increasing the program’s total funds to $6.5 million dollars, all of which is available for student scholarships.

“ASU Earn to Learn is an important example of how ASU is increasing access to higher education for Arizona's students and families,” said Sylvia Symonds, assistant vice president of ASU educational outreach.

ASU Earn to Learn is a college savings scholarship program which helps high school students build financial knowledge and establish a college savings account. Eligible students can save up to $500, and ASU will match the amount saved 8 to 1 — totaling $4,500.

"With ASU Earn to Learn, Arizona students and their families are able to benefit not only from financial support to pursue a university degree, but also gain a more comprehensive understanding of financial literacy to better their lives for years to come,” said Melissa McGurgan, Access ASU associate director.

Students who participate in ASU Earn to Learn can utilize their scholarship to take ASU courses while in high school through the Collegiate Scholars Academy, or when they attend ASU as full-time freshmen.

This fall more than 130 Earn to Learn students are enrolled at ASU — breaking the record as the largest cohort of student savers. Collectively, this group of students have saved $69,000 through the college savings scholarship program, a scholarship that amounts to $552,000 after ASU’s 8 to 1 match.

At ASU, a collaboration with students, parents and families is key to create broader accessibility and college preparedness among Arizona youth.

“As highlighted in our Charter, at ASU we want to be defined by whom we include and how they succeed,” Symonds said. “Our Earn to Learn program makes good on that promise by providing financial literacy and support to ensure students have what they need to achieve their higher education goals.” 

ASU Earn to Learn is open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors planning to attend ASU in Fall 2016 or later. Students interested in saving with Earn to Learn, should complete the AZ Earn to Learn participant survey by Nov. 25 at participantsurvey.org.

To learn more about the ASU Earn to Learn program, visit: eoss.asu.edu/earntolearn. To see the full list of September 2015 awardees, visit: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/afi-grant-awards-fy-2015.