Since 1952, the Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF) has secured scholarship gifts to help ensure that access to private higher education in Missouri is an affordable option for students from all backgrounds and levels of financial need. Improving education to “first opportunity students” is one of the MCF’s “signature initiatives.” Its purpose is to encourage and support private colleges and universities in effectively serving first generation, low-income, minority and new or Native American students.
CONSIDER THESE IMPORTANT FACTS:
By 2020, the majority of high school graduates will be non-white. Currently, only 47% of Hispanics and 41% of African- Americans who enroll in college complete a bachelor’s degree within six years, compared to 59% of whites.
Private colleges and universities serve First Opportunity students in roughly the same percentage as four-year public institutions. The U.S. Department of Education statistics clearly demonstrate that private colleges retain and graduate First Opportunity students at significantly superior rates to their public counterparts.
GIVE STUDENTS THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY:
The First Opportunity Scholars Program seeks the support of corporations, foundations and individuals to underwrite financial aid to needy students in this targeted population, first generation, low-income, minority and new or Native American students.
YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE:
The First Opportunity Scholars Program is a tangible, effective and meaningful way by which donors help deserving and motivated students achieve their dreams of a high-quality college education. The 16 institutions in the MCF consortium, with enrollments exceeding 70,000, are among the leading independent/private colleges and universities in Missouri, providing donors the opportunity to help students with financial need to fulfill their dreams of a liberal arts and sciences education by writing just one check.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT:
For more information, visit us on the web at:
www.mocollegesfund.org
Missouri Colleges Fund, Inc.
3401 West Truman Blvd., Suite 202
Jefferson City, MO 65109-6892
Telephone (573) 893-3818
E-Mail Susan Stegeman, President at – sstegeman@mocollegesfund.org