Scholars to Changemakers: 10,000 Degrees Fellowship Program

About This Project

Summary

The 10,000 Degrees Fellowship program trains recent college graduates, many of them program alumni, into near-peer mentors and leaders for students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds to expand college access and success. Through training in financial aid, scholarships, college advising and culturally responsive mentorship, Fellows use their lived experience to build trust, reduce barriers and help students achieve higher education and economic mobility.

Goals & Objectives

The Fellowship Program has improved college access and success by pairing mentors with students of low-income and first-generation backgrounds. Mentees receive resources for college and career success, FAFSA support and more. Fellows are trained to help students enroll in and graduate from college.

Results & Impact

In FY26, Fellows helped 7,650+ students complete FAFSA or CADAA, an 8% increase over the years, and supported 5,560+ scholarship applications. Every 10,000 Degrees scholarship recipient receives Fellowship support throughout their college journey.