Making Waves Education Foundation partners with students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college students so college is affordable and graduation is attainable.
Now, thanks to a new $300,000 donation, the foundation is opening its college and career success program to all nine Bay Area counties. Comprehensive yet personalized, the program provides scholarships and coaching for students’ entire college journey.
“We want to support more students in the Bay Area to earn their college degrees, to be able to afford it, and to graduate with minimal to no debt,” shared CEO Patrick O’Donnell.
Making Waves is also making college information more accessible. Making Waves’ college and career chatbot answers questions and sends reminders about admissions, financial aid, and deadlines. Similarly, on Making Waves’ TikTok account, students can discover tips from experts and get an inside look at college life from students.
“Many students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are not being reached by the current college advising model,” shared O’Donnell. “Our vision is to leverage technology to expand access to information and opportunity.”
Program benefits
The Making Waves college and career success program includes scholarships and a support system of college coaches, financial coordinators, and career specialists.
Student support covers academics, career development, financial aid and budgeting, campus community, and wellness. Participants graduate from college and land jobs at twice the rate of their peers – and 85% earn their college degrees without any student loans.
Program eligibility
Twenty eligible students will receive up to $20,000 each in scholarship funding over a maximum of five years and will be enrolled in Making Waves Education Foundation’s college and career success program.
The opportunity is open to high school seniors from low-income backgrounds from any of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties (Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma). As a part of the holistic selection process, Making Waves is seeking students who demonstrate a compelling personal why for pursuing college along with characteristics like resilience and self-awareness.
Application deadline
To apply, students must sign up for the Making Waves college and career chatbot, follow Making Waves on TikTok, and complete an application. The application will be open January 15- February 26, 2024.
More information
If you’re looking for support for your college and career journey, visit making-waves.org/programs to learn more.
