Scholar Program
Institution:
Generation Hope
State:
District of Columbia
Academic Level:
Community-Based Organization
Issue Area:
Support Services
Program Focus:
Mentoring, Scholarship
Key Personnel:
Reginald Grant
Contact Info:
Reginald@supportgenerationhope.org.| 202.670.5914
Overview
The Scholar Program empowers teen parents — a majority of whom are Latino — to attain college, professional success, and economic stability by providing mentoring, emotional support, and financial resources needed for them to thrive in college, thereby driving a two-generation solution to poverty. Its goal is to help teen parents at 20 two- and four-year colleges in the DC area earn degrees.
Program Description
Established in 2010, the Scholar Program was designed to address the 98% of teen mothers in the U.S. who do not earn a college degree before age 30. The Scholar Program pairs program participants with a sponsor who provides up to $2,400 per year in tuition assistance. Scholars are also provided individual, one-on-one mentoring until they graduate from college. Scholars receive one-on-one case management, free tutoring, career preparation, trainings throughout the year on topics including life balance and academic planning, and an annual Hope Conference which provides life and career skills from experts in the community. Latino teen parents are intentionally recruited through community partnerships and free workshops Generation Hope conducts at local high schools, homeless shelters, and social service agencies.
Outcome
Increased first-year persistence: Of Latino program participants, 90% persist through the first year of college. In comparison, nationally, 71% of Latino students persist through their first year of college. Latino program participants have also achieved a year-to-year persistence rate of 92%.
Increased 6-year graduation: Of Latino program participants, 59% graduate college within six years. In comparison, nationally, 50% of Latino college students graduate within six years.
Increased employment and economic mobility: 90% of Latino program alumni are employed full-time six months after graduation compared to 55% of all college graduates in the mid-Atlantic region. The average salary reported after graduation for scholars is $41,500, which is significantly above the federal poverty line.
