Earn to learn

Earn to Learn empowers students to achieve their goals and be workforce ready with little to no student debt.

Earn to Learn is a proven and innovative matched-savings program for low- and moderate-income Americans which provides the financial resources and support they need to attain their educational goals.

In addition to providing much needed alternatives to traditional financial aid options, the program also gives the students the tools and responsibility to succeed by requiring students to save consistently for their education and to improve their financial capability. Unparalleled student outcomes are achieved through the combination of money management and financial empowerment training, practicing a regular savings habit, and success coaching.

Earn to Learn is built on four core tenants that help ensure students complete their educational programs and acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to manage their finances successfully during and after the program.
1. Matched Savings: Students save $500 in a college savings account and are matched 8:1 per academic year. Studies indicate that low- to moderate-income students with college savings up to $499 are 3x more likely to attend college and 4x more likely to graduate college.
2. Financial Empowerment Training: The Earn to Learn™ program includes a dynamic online personal financial education training program that is designed to produce measurable and meaningful outcomes. Program participants are required to complete at least 13 hours in the program which helps them develop critical financial skills to make informed decisions and to best manage their money. Beyond the core content, the program is highly personalized to "meet people where they are" so that the educational experience is relevant to their unique circumstances, needs, and goals. The curriculum includes topics such as money management, debt management, student loan management, establishing/building credit, ID theft prevention, emergency savings, retirement readiness, and other relevant topics.
3. Near Peer Advising, Success Coaching and Business Mentoring Model: A combination of peers, coaches, and business mentors provide students with support throughout their college experience. For example, success coaches have direct contact with students and their families, providing individual and group support which complements the services and support programs that are accessed on campus.
4. Workforce Readiness Training - students develop the core skill s employers seek when hiring, including critical thinking, planning, professionalism, leadership, and teamwork. Students also receive training on resume writing, networking, and interviewing.

Testimonials

"I've really enjoyed being a mentor for Earn to Learn™. I've been in my profession for nearly a decade, and it's great to get a new perspective from someone who is just about to take the steps to begin their career. I hope throughout the program that we have each learned from each other." ~ Earn to Learn Mentor

"Earn to Learn™ gives you the opportunity to get some real hands on experience with networking, interviewing and speaking to people who are involved in your career field. Additionally, you get to meet other leaders who are ambitious and care about their community just as much as you do!" ~Gabriella, UA Earn to Learn Saver

"While in Earn to Learn I've learned that anything can be possible even if it seems unreal. I want people to know that this program has helped me save not only for the scholarship but even weigh out of I really need to spend money on something if I do not absolutely need it. I have even given my little sister hope that she can go to college just like I am, and she never had this kind of hope before. I really want her to have someone to look to because right now I am all she has, and I want her to know she will follow in my footstep. This scholarship has given not only myself hope but also someone I cherish more than the world." ~Raven, UA Earn to Learn Saver

"My experience in Earn to Learn has given me the opportunity to learn about how to finance higher education and also connected me with a community of people who are invested in my success. I encourage anyone considering the program to apply and see how Earn to Learn can change the trajectory of your college experience!" ~ Miranda, ASU Earn to Lean Saver

"Earn to Learn has been amazing and has helped me get to my goals and prepare for my future career. Without this program, there are so many things I wouldn't have been able to accomplish."
~ Sabrina, NAU Earn to Learn Saver