December 2024 Year-End-Review

Our Education Equalizer Scholars

The Education Equalizer Foundation College PASS Cohort III

College Acceptances: EEF Cohort 3 Scholars

This year, EEF Cohort 3 Scholars achieved outstanding success, with 14 scholars earning acceptances to 34 colleges and universities. Their admissions showcase their hard work and the power of EEF’s support and guidance.

Scholarship Highlight:

At least one scholar received a full-ride football scholarship to the University of Memphis!

Geographical Reach:

The EEF scholars have been accepted into 34 institutions, showcasing diverse opportunities. Among these, 21 are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), 14 are public universities, and 17 are private universities, with some institutions overlapping categories. Geographically, the acceptances span 13 states, with Florida leading at 9 institutions, Tennessee with 5, and North Carolina and Georgia with 4. Other states represented include Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Maryland, Louisiana, Virginia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, and California. This wide representation underscores our scholars’ dedication and academic success as they prepare for bright futures.

Institution	State	HBCU	Public University	Private University
Alabama A&M University	Alabama	✔	✔
Alabama State University	Alabama	✔	✔
Albany State University	Georgia	✔	✔
Barry University	Florida			✔
Bethune-Cookman University	Florida	✔		✔
Clark Atlanta University	Georgia	✔		✔
Columbia College	South Carolina			✔
Edward Waters University	Florida	✔		✔
Fayetteville State University	North Carolina	✔	✔
Fisk University	Tennessee	✔		✔
Florida Institute of Technology	Florida			✔
Florida Memorial University	Florida	✔		✔
Harris-Stowe State University	Missouri	✔	✔
Jackson State University	Mississippi	✔	✔
Lane College	Tennessee	✔		✔
LeMoyne-Owen College	Tennessee	✔		✔
Lincoln University	Missouri	✔	✔
Louisiana State University (LSU)	Louisiana		✔
Maryville University	Missouri			✔
Miles College	Alabama	✔		✔
Mississippi State University	Mississippi		✔
Morgan State University	Maryland	✔	✔
North Carolina Central University	North Carolina	✔	✔
Palm Beach Atlantic University	Florida			✔
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)	Georgia			✔
Santa Fe College	Florida		✔
Shaw University	North Carolina	✔		✔
Southern California University	California			✔
Tennessee State University	Tennessee	✔	✔
University of Central Florida (UCF)	Florida		✔
University of Kentucky	Kentucky		✔
University of Memphis	Tennessee		✔
University of North Carolina	North Carolina		✔
Virginia State University	Virginia	✔	✔
Wilberforce University	Ohio	✔		✔

This remarkable list demonstrates the breadth and quality of options available to EEF Cohort 3 Scholars. The acceptances underscore their academic accomplishments and The Education Equalizer Foundation’s dedication to fostering college readiness and access.

As we close out 2024, these successes inspire us to continue our mission of helping students reach and exceed their academic and career goals.

More acceptances are coming soon. We will celebrate our scholars during the Million Dollar Scholar Brunch. Save the date for Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m.

EEF’s Community Partnerships

In 2024, The Education Equalizer Foundation (EEF) strengthened its impact through strategic partnerships with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), the Florida College Access Network (FCAN), and the University of Florida Bridges program. As an NCAN nonprofit, we accessed invaluable resources, including FAFSA completion training under the new simplification rules, which helped increase the number of students qualifying for financial aid. Through FCAN’s Fearless and First-Gen campaign, we amplified the voices of first-generation college students via a collaborative social media blitz. Additionally, our partnership with the University of Florida Bridges program connected our scholars with mentorship from current college students, providing guidance and support as they navigated the admissions process. These collaborations expanded our reach, enhanced our programs, and reinforced our mission to create equitable educational opportunities for underrepresented students.

A call to support EEF!

As we approach the end of 2024, The Education Equalizer Foundation (EEF) reflects on our accomplishments and the challenges ahead. While we’ve made significant strides in supporting students on their journey to college, we need your help to continue this vital work.

This fiscal year, our grant funding totaled $1,500—$500 from the Johnson Scholars and $1,000 from Duke Energy—compared to $12,273 at this same time last year. Despite this decrease, our commitment to empowering students and expanding access to higher education remains unwavering.

We are calling on you—our supporters, friends, and community members—to help us bridge the gap and meet our financial needs. Your contribution will directly support our programs, including college tours, ACT/SAT prep sessions, and mentorship initiatives, ensuring students have the tools and opportunities to succeed.

Thank you to our partners and sponsors!

We are a 100% volunteer-led organization. We rely on community support to thrive.

Thank you to the following organizations for sponsoring The Education Equalizer Foundation.