Financial challenge is the critical barrier for college graduation.

Only 23% of high-achieving, low-income students apply to a selective school. (Source: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation)

One third of public institutions underestimate living expenses by nearly $3,000, leaving students surprised by a high level of cost they are not prepared for. (Source: Goldrick-Rab, Paying the Price.)

As many as 2 million students who are eligible for federal grants don't apply for financial aid each year. This is largely due to lack of awareness and complexity of the process. (Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.)

Pell recipients are often required to complete extra paperwork for FAFSA verification. Confusion and complexity of this process is a leading cause of summer melt, where as many as 40% of college-intending students never make it to campus in the fall. (Source: Castleman & Page, Summer Melt.)

Half of Pell recipients work while attending college, on average working 25 hours a week.

13% of college students routinely provide financial support to their families. (Source: Goldrick-Rab, Paying the Price.)

Students often struggle in isolation. Without an understanding of college norms or the resources available on campus, students are poorly equipped to articulate their challenges and search for a person or program that can help. (Source: Moneythink Financial Need & Ownership Report.)

Read how financially insecure students prepare and tackle financial challenges and what we can do to set them up to be better equipped throughout their college careers.