The ICW Access to a College Education (ACE) Scholarship

The Challenge

• The future economic security of Washington and the nation depends on an educated workforce. We must educate as many Washingtonians as are eligible, regardless of family income.
• As our young adult population (18 – 24) continues to grow, the growth will come disproportionately from low income families. For the future of Washington, we must help them access a college education.

The Need

• A recent survey showed that 24% of students attending ICW member colleges received Pell Grant (basic need-based federal aid). Nearly half these students were from families who could not contribute anything to their education based on the common federal evaluation of resources that determines eligibility for financial aid. These students are more likely to be students of color (35%), and the first person in their families to attend college (42%).
• Of the nearly 1, 000 newly admitted applicants from families with no ability to help pay for college, two-thirds enrolled. On average, these students still had a gap of $6,000 after scholarships, loans, and work-study. Their struggle will continue to shadow them throughout their college career. To fill this gap, they’ll likely take out expensive private loans or work too much to fully utilize their college opportunities. We’re also missing the one-third of fully qualified students who chose not to enroll because of financial need.

The ICW Solution

• We’ve created the ICW ACE Scholarship for students whose families are unable to contribute to their education. ICW ACE funds will help fill the $6, 000 gap noted above each year of college (up to four years).
• The ICW ACE Scholarship
• Helps the very neediest college applicants/students, making it more likely they’ll seek and complete their college degree.
• Supports students for a full four years, assuming continued eligibility.
• Gets student through college without having to borrow – or borrow more – from expensive private loan programs or work full time.
• Diversifies the workforce in the future.

What Can Donors Do?

• Help students with no family assistance by giving to the ICW ACE Scholarship:
• Sponsor one student with a gift or a four-year pledge of $24, 000, or
• Donate to the ICW ACE Fund established by ICW to pool smaller donations to serve students.
• All donors will receive public recognition, regardless of the size of gift.