Megan Stevens
Student Freedom Initiative, founded by billionaire, Robert F. Smith has taken on a new partnership to offer more funding to college students.
Their latest partnership is with The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation. The entertainer and philanthropist have a heart for giving back and will continue work together to expand Student Freedom’s Initiative’s network of partnering with colleges.
Together, the partners went from nine schools to funding to now tripling that number at a rate of twenty-nine colleges.
“We are pleased to welcome the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation in support of our critical mission to advance the narrative surrounding minority serving institutions and the students they support. Together, we look forward to sharing and promoting the extraordinary talent of our students in a competitive global economy.” said Founder Robert F. Smith from a recent feature from Business Wire.
Founder, business mogul Robert F Smith
Student Freedom Initiative was launched in the fall of this year. Its original intent was to provide supplemental funding for Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for students who needed additional funding outside of federal funding.
The program is designed to help African American students avoid private loans or Parent PLUS loans, provide internships, tutoring, mentorships, and more.
African American students have twice the average academic debt than their Caucasian counterparts. For this reason, Student Freedom Initiative’s mission is to liberate students to make career and life choices by providing a catalyst for freedom.
The foundation has set up the program in a self-sustaining fashion for future generations. Upon graduation and obtaining a salary, students repay their loans back as a percentage according to their salary which is then funded back into the program.
The program originally launched only serving Morehouse College, then grew to nine other HBCUs but has now expanded its reach due to the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation.
The program now reaches not only HBCUs, but the twenty-nine colleges also encompass Minority Serving Institutes (MSIs).
The twenty new institutes include: Alabama A&M University, Benedict College, Bennett College, Bowie State University, Dillard University, Fisk University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Jackson State University, Jarvis Christian College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morris College, Norfolk State University, Shaw University, Texas College, Texas Southern University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of the Virgin Islands, Virginia Union University, and Voorhees College.
The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation provides various programs targeting youth outreach services that enrich the next generation.
The foundation provides mentoring, educational enrichment, life transformation skills, and global service initiatives.
The organization partners and allies with other organizations to provide opportunities to youth for internships and employment to strengthen the overall community.
LINKS:
