Learn about critical issues based on data and acquire the tools needed to support Black learners

Public university systems are collaborating to improve credential completion and social mobility by addressing several key imperatives, including equity and learning. The initiative is seeking to shift to a student-centric focus and share ways to teach students by recognizing individual learning and social-emotional needs and advancing equity in academic and experiential curricula.⁹⁹

Twelve states across the nation, from nearly all regions and regardless of political party control, have enacted FAFSA completion policies to require or encourage high school seniors to file the form.⁶⁰ Most states have developed a multipronged effort with statewide outreach, student support, K−12 training, data sharing, and highlighted best practices.

Year Up offers a one-year training program with paid internship and support and has been recognized for supporting achievement among Black learners.¹⁷⁸

Boston, Massachusetts

Complete College America created a network of community colleges to align academic programs with workforce needs for Black learners. Participating colleges will share expertise and receive technical assistance focused on workforce alignment, basic needs, and other key topics.¹⁷⁷

Indianapolis, Indiana

California Funders for Boys and Men of Coloraligns leading philanthropic entities with the goal of improving opportunities for Black, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American young men in the San Francisco and Los Angeles communities. The network offers programming and legislative advocacy to remove structural barriers.¹⁷¹

Sacramento, California

Take Off: Institutional Innovations for College Men of Color is a project of the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center. The philanthropic-supported project supports 12 community colleges nationwide to bolster initiatives advancing the success of Black learners and men of color.¹⁷⁰

Los Angeles, California

Regional partnerships in the Seattle area focus on advancing Black learner success through data-driven strategies and support from middle school through postsecondary education. In the same region, a Black and Brown Summit, sponsored by community partners, is an annual event designed to empower and motivate Black and Brown young men in high school to excel in academics and strive for excellence.¹⁶⁸

Seattle, Washington

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization with a focus on education that is working to end discrimination against Black LGBTQ+ individuals.¹⁶⁷

Washington, D.C

Under the Achieve Atlanta initiative, higher education institutions and college access partners support Atlanta Public Schools to provide district-wide college advising to all juniors and seniors.¹⁶⁶

Atlanta, Georgia

The National Cares Mentoring Movement seeks to transform the lives of impoverished Black children through a national network of volunteer mentors. An example is the collaboration between higher education and community partners in New York City.¹⁶⁵

New York, New York

The African American Trade Association promotes trade, commerce, economic development, and well-being through education, collaboration, and lucrative partnerships that advance opportunities for Black communities.¹⁵⁸

Denver, Colorado

The Albuquerque African American Chamber of Commerce focuses on education, advocacy, mentorship, and networking to promote Black- owned businesses.¹⁵⁷

Albuquerque, New Mexico

NAACP partnered with Google to expand a high school program preparing students for tech fields. 155 Additionally, Grow with Google supports HBCUs to encourage Black learners to pursue technology fields.¹⁵⁶

Baltimore, Maryland

The Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative established a new framework for community leaders, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and philanthropists to advance solutions to build Black wealth in the region.¹⁵⁰

Atlanta, Georgia

OneTen seeks to create 1 million jobs in 10 years to unlock opportunities for Black learners and workers. Employers and community partners provide support, training, and hiring to close gaps in the Black talent pipeline.¹⁴⁹

Washington, D.C

The Scholarship Academy supports Black learners in Georgia, New York, and Washington D.C., helping students from low-wealth backgrounds navigate financial aid and access scholarships.¹⁴⁷

Atlanta, Georgia

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering offers $3 million in scholarships to underrepresented minorities pursuing engineering.¹⁴⁵

Additionally, the Executive Leadership Council seeks to expand Black executives and offers scholarships to Black learners.¹⁴⁶

Alexandria, Virginia

The National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency, supports professional development institutes for higher education faculty. The convenings support higher education faculty from across the nation to deepen their understanding of significant topics and enrich their capacity for effective scholarship and teaching.¹³⁶

Washington, D.C

The Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program aims to support centers of excellence at historically black colleges and universities or other minority serving institutions to increase the number of well-prepared educators and teachers of color.¹³⁵

Washington, D.C

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School program helped 3,300 student parents pay for child care with payments of $385 per month on average. Appropriations for the program have increased from $15 million in FY 2017 to $75 million in FY 2023. In FY 2022, 300 new institutions were awarded $150,000 per year on average.¹³²

Washington, D.C

YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship program to expand postsecondary opportunities for those without high school diplomas. The program serves 5,000 youth across 40 states.v

Washington, D.C

The College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium is a collaboration of 28 GEAR UP grantees across 630 middle and high schools interested in understanding the impact of interventions.¹³⁰

Washington, D.C

Lawmakers established a congressional caucus focused on predominantly Black institutions to educate policymakers on the important role these institutions play in serving low-income, first-generation, and minority students.¹²⁵

Washington, D.C

Recent changes to gainful employment regulations ensure that 32,000 federally supported career training programs require graduates to have an affordable level of debt and receive an earnings premium to qualify for federal financial aid.¹²⁴

Washington, D.C

The former Leveraging Educational Assistance Program can serve as a blueprint to develop a strong federal-state partnership that expands access to underrepresented and low-income students.¹²³

Washington, D.C

Since 2009, the Internal Revenue Servicedata retrieval matchprocess has improved, reducing both the number of FAFSA questions students and parents must complete and the burden of providing verification of eligibility.¹¹⁵

Washington, D.C

The U.S. Department of Education updated its student loan management provisions to increase the accountability of servicers, allow borrowers to access their loans through a centralized website, and reduce disruptions from account transfers.¹¹³ This is especially important to ensure Black borrowers, half of whom report that their loan debt is more than their net worth, can access repayment benefits.¹¹⁴

Washington, D.C

The recent overhaul of the FAFSA application streamlines the process and expands access to Pell Grants, starting with the 2024−25 application.¹¹¹ As Black learners are more likely to receive the Pell Grant, these improvements are critical.¹¹²

Washington, D.C

Texas leveraged its state-funded work-study program to create a mentorship program to improve completion and career readiness.⁹⁵

Austin, Texas

Tennessee created a statewide mentoring program for financial aid recipients. Volunteers support students with navigating enrollment and meeting Promise program requirements.⁹⁴

Nashville, Tennessee