Our Impact
In the Next Level Scholars™ program, success looks different for every student. Whether it is crossing the stage at graduation from a four-year college, following a passion to become certified in a skilled trade, earning an associate’s degree and stepping into the workforce, or pursuing a doctorate, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars defines success as each student getting to their next level of education.
%
DRDFS students enrolled in post-secondary education within 12 months of high school graduation Compared to the national average for students from low-income high schools of 52%
%
DRDFS students persist from their 1st year to their 2nd year Compared to the national average for students from low-income high schools of 76%
%
DRDFS students enrolled, completing and/or graduating within six years Compared to the the national average of 29% for students from low-income high schools
Kohl, Class of 2017 & Brandon, Class of 2018
Catch up with Kohl and Brandon, Alumni of the Next Level Scholars Program, as they talk about graduating from college and what they are currently doing. They also reflect on their time with DRDFS and share some advice with current Next Level Scholar Program students.
Frank, Class of 2019
“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. The program really expanded the scope of opportunities available to me.“
Marketea, Class of 2018
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped boost my confidence when asking my financial aid advisor questions, allowed me to understand the independence that comes with college, and provided the support that I desperately needed for life after high school. Now that I am a rising junior in college, I realize that I could not have made it this far without DRDFS.“
Richard, Class of 2017
“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. That’s where Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars stepped in. From college tours to financial aid, DRDFS has greatly impacted my path to higher education.“
MaryKay, Class of 2019
“From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars changed my entire outlook. DRDFS shined a light on the possibilities. Now I know what I want to do, where I want to be, and how to get there.“
Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is proud to partner with MCAN to work toward the shared goal of 60% college attainment by 2030.
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“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.