One of the most intimidating parts of carving out a new chapter and pursuing a post-secondary education for teenagers in 2024 is simply figuring out how — and where — to start. With seemingly countless options and potential financial obstacles, making the decision to continue education beyond high school can be a deeply challenging process.
For students in the metro Detroit area, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) and its dedicated Post-Secondary Transition Coaches make the road to higher education a little less bumpy.
One of DRDFS’ goals is to guide students through the complex and sometimes confusing process of transitioning from high school to the next level, whether that means attending college, learning a trade, or entering the military. A great deal of that guidance comes from DRDFS’ two Post-Secondary Transition Coaches, Lyric Bingham and Tania Vega, whose roles focus on building relationships with DRDFS students as they plan for their next steps after high school.
Tania’s journey to becoming a Post-Secondary Transition Coach is a direct testament to the success of DRDFS itself — she is an alumna of the DRDFS program. With the support of DRDFS, Tania became the first person in her family to earn a college degree when she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy in 2021. Two years later, Tania joined DRDFS as a coach. After seeing all DRDFS did for her as a teenager, she is uniquely aware of her role’s importance in shaping the future of a generation of leaders in the metro Detroit area.
“It really has 100 percent come full circle,” said Tania. “I relate a lot to our students, and I think that helps me do my job better. Seeing firsthand the effect DRDFS has on students really influenced me a lot to even apply for this job.”
Although Lyric Bingham wasn’t in the DRDFS program as a teenager, many of her close friends were, and she has seen the unwavering support DRDFS provides its students. Now, Lyric and Tania are able to give back to the younger generation by offering unique perspectives from their own experiences and financial backing from the DRDFS Scholar Success Fund, which can cover nearly any situation a DRDFS student might encounter.
“I think that the Scholar Success Fund is life-changing for our students,” said Lyric. “There’s a difference between supporting students by getting into college and supporting them throughout their entire post-secondary journey, and the Scholar Success Fund really helps.”
“Tania and I can offer support and resources,” she added. “But I like to tell the students: whatever is going to help you stay in school — that’s what the fund is for.”
Beyond the world of academics, Tania and Lyric also go out of their way to support their students in all areas of life. They maintain regular check-ins with students and are always available to sit down and chat, whether the topic is academic, financial, or just about the world in general. These conversations help students feel heard, supported, and most importantly: confident in their journey.
Giovanni from the Class of 2024, who keeps close ties with his coaches, shared just how impactful Tania and Lyric have been in his transition to college:
“The coaches give great advice because they’ve been in our shoes and know how we feel,” he said. “We’re not alone, and they make sure to reassure us that we have people who care and support us in our corner.”
It’s remarkable how much reassurance and encouragement can empower a student to reach their goals. Tania and Lyric, our invaluable Post-Secondary Transition Coaches at DRDFS, show how intentional support can create a lasting, positive impact on a student’s life.
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.