HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

TOGETHER WE CAN INFLUENCE CHANGE AND INSPIRE HOPE OF A BETTER TOMORROW

YOU CAN HELP NO CAPE, GOGGLES OR SPECIAL UNIFORM IS NEEDED TO BE A SUPER HERO IT TAKES CARING ABOUT THE DREAMS OF THE KIDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND GIVING THEM A CHANCE EDUCATION IS POWER OUR GIFTS AND WORK TOGETHER ENABLE US TO ACHIEVE MORE THAN ANY ONE OF US COULD ALONE CHANGE IS HARD BUT MICHIGAN IS TOUGH LEAD THE CHANGE

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WHO WE ARE Since 1990, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars® has been dedicated to helping local students prepare for life after high school.

We are a locally-run, volunteer-driven organization of parents, students, educators, and business and community members that provides scholarships and academic support for students who want to achieve the dream of higher education.

Emily Wolford and Mariah Lamons Participants in Dollars for Scholars’ Academic Support Program

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OUR MISSION Our mission is to encourage local students to pursue educational excellence by providing scholarships and academic support. We are committed to:

offering students the tools necessary to reach their college and career goals

helping students prepare for life after high school

raising awareness of the need for scholarships within the community

increasing support from corporations, foundations and individuals within the community

Kayla Paynes-Bass and Daschelle Williams Participants in Dollars for Scholars’ Academic Support Program

NATIONAL RECOGNITION Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is one of over 800 chapters operating under the umbrella of Scholarship America®, the largest privately funded scholarship organization in the world. Founded in 1958, Scholarship America has awarded $3.1 billion in scholarships and educational assistance to 2 million students. Last year (2012-13), Scholarship America distributed 102,000 awards to students totaling $202 million.

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Lauren Segal, President and CEO of Scholarship America

KATIE COURIC Award-winning television journalist Katie Couric is a committed supporter of Scholarship America, donating the profits from her first book, The Best Advice I Ever Got, to its scholarship efforts. "Scholarship America changes lives every day by helping students afford a college education," Couric said. "Because my book offers inspirational advice from some amazing people on how to succeed in life, Scholarship America is the perfect partner organization for this project."

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Katie Couric featured Scholarship America’s founder, Dr. Irving Fradkin, on Katie, her national daytime talk show.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, high school seniors are awarded renewable scholarships to attend the college or university of their choice.

Eligibility for our scholarship requires participation in our academic support program.

Since our foundation, we have awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to nearly 500 students.

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2013

Scholarship

Recipients

Jasmine Jones University of Michigan

Lindsay Schuller Grand Valley State University

Sabrina Seales Saginaw Valley State University

Christopher Smerek Western Michigan University

Adrian Smith Eastern Michigan University

Matthew Studer University of Alabama

Albert Washington University of Toledo

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Scholarships alone are not enough. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars provides a robust academic support program that helps students of all walks of life and backgrounds address:

college, post-secondary and career options

college admission and the financial aid process

For nearly 25 years, University of Detroit Mercy has served a as collegiate partner, assisting us in facilitating various academic support activities.

Wallace Hall and Stephanie Becerra Participants in Dollars for Scholars’ Academic Support Program

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DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS

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HOW STUDENTS PAY FOR COLLEGE

FINANCING HIGHER EDUCATION

30%

11%28%

4%

9%

18% Grants and Scholarships

Student Income and Savings

Parent Borrowing

Relatives and Friends

Parent Income and Savings

Student Borrowing

STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS A NATIONAL CRISIS

STUDENT DEBT

The cumulative student loan debt stood at $1.2 trillion in 2013, exceeding both total credit card debt and auto loan debt.

$862 $873 $1.2 Billion Billion TRILLION

SOURCE: Sallie Mae, www.salliemae.com/assets/Core/how-America-pays/howamericapays2013.pdf

SOURCE: Federal Reserve, www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/

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ADDRESSES CRITICAL ISSUES

JOB OUTLOOK AND WAGES ARE BRIGHT FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES

JOB PROSPECTS

Doctoral Degree

Professional Degree

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Associate’s Degree

Some College No Degree

High School Diploma

Less Than A High School Diploma

AVERAGE OF ALL WORKERS=6.8% AVERAGE OF ALL WORKERS=$815

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 2012 (%) MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS IN 2012 ($)

2.5

2.1

3.5

4.5

6.2

7.7

8.3

12.4

1,624

1,735

1,300

1,066

787

727

652

471

31% of two-year college students complete their program in three years.

TOO MANY STUDENTS ARE DROPPING OUT OF COLLEGE

DEGREE ATTAINMENT

59% of public four-year college students complete within six years.

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, www.nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=40

OUR GOALS

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is committed to helping more students prepare for life after high school. By 2025, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars will:

❶ Work in partnership with 25 high schools through-out Southeast Michigan.

❷ Engage 750 local students in academic support

programming every year.

❸ Award $500,000 in renewable scholarships to local

students every year.

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Oakland

Wayne

Macomb

Washtenaw

Monroe

TODAY 2025

Today, Dollars for Scholars offers scholarships and academic support to students in 7 communities throughout Southeast Michigan.

Oakland

Wayne

Macomb

Washtenaw

Monroe

By 2025, Dollars for Scholars will offer scholarships and academic support to students in 25 communities throughout Southeast Michigan.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

SCHOOL DRIVES Just $1 from every parent, educator and community member together can make a big difference to a student with dreams of higher education.

FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP Financial Partners are individuals, foundations and corporations who have exemplified exceptional dedication to helping further the mission of Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars by committing an annual financial pledge.

ENDOWMENT Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars maintains a Scholarship Endowment Fund to ensure the continued support for college scholarships.

PLANNED GIVING One of the best ways to create a brighter future for younger generations is by giving hard-working students the opportunity to achieve their dreams of higher education. By leaving a bequest to Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, your planned gift will help local students realize their goals for years to come.

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THANK YOU FOR CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND

INSPIRING HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

© Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. All Rights Reserved.

100 Renaissance Center P.O. Box 43105 Detroit, MI 48243

734.455.2849

detroitregional.dollarsforscholars.org