Elevate the College Dream- Education For ALL!

We are pleased to embark on our third scholarship season! The Ascend Educational Fund (AEF) has received a record breaking 491 scholarship applications! As we embark upon the selection process, we ask for your support in helping these ambitious, accomplished bright students pursue their dreams of higher education. Our goal this year is to award up to $75,000 and to that end, we are raising $25,000 through our Indiegogo campaign. 100% of the funds raised will directly make it possible for an amazing student to pursue higher education!

The students you will send to college embody the full meaning of achievement, hard work, dedication and perseverance. These students have not only achieved academic success and given back to their community, but in many cases have overcome difficult circumstances and extreme hardship such as poverty, domestic violence, and medical illness. These students are more than just deserving, they are some of the best examples of young people who are on their way to changing the world!

A CUNY-bound young woman in the Bronx who spent most of her life in Liberia. Due to a family related predicament, she missed 1.5 years of high school. Determined to catch up, she frequently stayed late after school for tutoring and achieved a 3.8 GPA. She also established an organization at her high school that helps raise awareness about college, as many of her fellow classmates would be first generation college students like herself who did not have resources readily available. -2015 AEF applicant's story

Our 2013 and 2014 Scholars exhibit just the type of students we can send to college in 2015. These students have overcome serious adversity and have gone through great lengths to continue their education. Our Scholars represent Mexico, Bangladesh, West Indies, Burma, South Korea, Dominican Republic and China. They attend colleges such as Harvard College, Princeton University, Baruch College, and Wellesley College.

Our campaign gives you an opportunity to change a life by helping us provide financial support and mentorship!

What We Need & How We Will Recognize your Support

Last year, with the help of the Indiegogo community we awarded $63,000 in college scholarships to help nine students attend college; some would not have been able to continue their education without our help. We have raised nearly $25,000 for 2015, and raising at least $25,000 from our Indiegogo campaign will help us award as much as last year and get us closer to our $75,000 goal.

Together we can make the life changing difference between students going to college or ending their education.

Every dollar you give will go toward funding the higher education of our 2015 Scholars. Whether we raise $1,000 or $25,000, it will make a huge difference in a student’s life.

*All donations to this campaign are tax-deductible.*

**Check with your employer to see if they'll match your donation!**