Properly educating every child is the bedrock on which our families, communities, and nation depend. Far too many Americans’ potential
to contribute to society remains unrealized because they are not receiving the education they need and deserve. To address America’s education gap, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Education program works to improve student outcomes, maximize student potential, bring college into reach for more students, and spread success.

We cannot stand by while remarkable students do not access
the opportunities they have earned. Working alongside Bloomberg Philanthropies, we are pleased to be able to say to these students ‘if you work hard, we will help break down barriers to help
 you succeed.’
David Coleman
College Board President and CEO

Bringing higher education within reach and matching high-achieving students with top schools

Each year, tens of thousands of hardworking, high-achieving students from low- and moderate-income families fail to apply to even a single leading college or university that matches their qualifications.

More than 50% of these students settle for two- or four-year colleges well below their abilities—and leave with more debt, have lower graduation rates, and, as a consequence, have dramatically reduced career and leadership opportunities.

In response to this challenge, Bloomberg Philanthropies created 
a coalition of nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions with the goal of helping up to 65,000 high-achieving, low- and moderate- income students apply to, enroll in, and graduate from top institutions.

The program connects students
 with advisors who provide virtual one-on-one advising over the phone, text, email, video conference, and document sharing. Advisors provide:

• Credible, personalized guidance about which institutions are a good match given each student’s level of academic achievement.
• Accurate, personalized information about the real costs of leading institutions, which, because of financial aid, are often far less than lower-income students believe.
• Examples of other students like themselves who have successfully made the transition to top institutions.

Helping low-income high-achievers reach their full potential at college won’t just address inequality from the bottom up, it will help us capitalize on the full spectrum of American talent. We’re already beginning to see progress.

Graduates of top-tier colleges earn 18 to 28% more than peers who did not, creating an earnings gap of up to $550,000 over a lifetime.

Learn more about the Education program on Bloomberg.org.