The centerpiece of our direct initiatives, our Corey’s Scholars program identifies individual students who need tailored support and provides them with the resources they need to thrive, including tuition assistance, mentorship, skills development, and personalized guidance.
This vision behind this program is rooted in research that underscores the challenges facing low income first-generation students as well as the clear benefits of a holistic support system. This is an area where we can make a transformational impact. We’re committed to students’ post-secondary success and preparing them to thrive in adulthood.
Our research spanned many facets of the issue.
”With Corey’s Scholars, our impact is broad and deep. It offers all-important funding, but it goes well beyond that–we’re working hard to be a guiding force of love every step of the way for these kids. We have the right partner-run programs to offer comprehensive support as they enter high school, into post-secondary school and then right on into adulthood.” Our research spanned many facets of the issue including common barriers facing kids.
Challenge |
Statistics |
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Costs Beyond Tuition Books, laptops, housing, transportation, and childcare can derail students’ academic path. |
Books and supplies can cost students anywhere from $850 to $2,500, averaging around $1,720.^ Among the few trade and technical colleges that offer on-campus housing, the average annual cost is almost $10,000.^ |
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Food Insecurity Lack of consistent food access impacts academic performance. |
More than 1 in 5 undergraduate students experience food insecurity.* Food-insecure students are 40% less likely to complete their bachelor’s degrees than food-secure students.^ |
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Limited Mentorship Many students, especially first-generation collegegoers, lack guidance to navigate the complexities of postsecondary programs and the transition to professional life. |
Students of color are less likely to participate in activities that foster academic and social success which can further hinder their achievement. = |
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Exclusionary Environments Students often encounter educational institutions that fail to provide the inclusivity and support necessary for success. |
First-generation college students and students of color often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to their peers.** |
Fortunately, when these students can overcome these challenges, their prospects for success are undeniable. Mentorship in particular, is a game-changer leading to better academic performance, higher graduation and retention rates.
Stronger sense of belonging and academic success for first-year participants
Trinity Catholic Academy
Ron Burton Training Village
Thoughtful diligence and an integrated strategy are core to the Corey’s Scholars Program. There are three key components:
Our monetary grants help cover the cost of tuition plus the other adjacent costs: Housing, food, books, laptops, transportation, childcare. We understand the monetary piece goes well beyond tuition. The additional stressors and burden of expenses comes in layers, and we’re taking an approach that alleviates these pain points so scholars can focus on their goals. And their dreams.
Mentorship from Boston’s professional community to guide students on their journey. We provide financial support for partners that provide mentorship, and our Emerging Leaders Council members sit on career panels and participate in workshops supporting Corey’s Scholars. We can assist with professional development opportunities, resume writing, interview skills, and workplace training. We can also provide networking introductions and internship connections to jump-start careers. Financial literacy training is available too, to prepare students to thrive on independently.
Corey’s Scholars identifies recipients at around age 13, before they enter high school. We’re then a guiding Force of Love for those years, post-secondary success and into adulthood. This level of support requires investing in group training programs to reach as many students as possible.
Ron Burton Training Village: Since 1985, RBTV has provided a structured environment where kids, ages 11-18, can develop into strong leaders, primarily through a six-week summer program focused on character development, academic success, and physical fitness.
Achieve: an innovative and tuition-free academic initiative at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Mass., Achieve provides critical academic and personal support for middle school students from under-resourced communities in Boston.
GROW (Girls Reflecting Our World): provides teen girls with a safe, empowering environment where they can grow, learn, and build connections.
^BestColleges. (2023, November 2). How much does trade school cost? Retrieved from https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/how-much-does-trade-school-cost
*Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. (n.d.). National student financial wellness study (NSFWS). Retrieved from https://hope.temple.edu/npsas
**Active Minds. (n.d.). First-generation mental health: The unique challenges and how to overcome
=Schuyler, Sophie W.; Childs, Jonique R.; and Poynton, Timothy A. (2021) “Promoting Success for FirstGeneration Students of Color: The Importance of Academic, Transitional Adjustment, and Mental Health Supports,” Journal of College Access: Vol. 6 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/vol6/iss1/4
+Jones Sr., Dwayne D. (2023). Empowering First-Year Success: A Study on the Impact of First-Year Peer Mentorship Program on First-Year, First-Generation Black Male
^^Boutakidis, I., Espinoza, G., Sevier, M., & Sadek, A. (2024). The Impact of a Peer Mentoring Program on Undergraduate Graduation Rates: A Matched Control Group Design. Journal of College Student Retention:
Research, Theory & Practice, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251241268852
#Savage, M. W., Strom, R. E., Ebesu Hubbard, A. S., & Aune, K. S. (2019). Commitment in College Student Persistence. Journal of College Student Retention.
