OUR STORY
At Minds Matter, we believe that high-potential students, who are dedicated to earning a college education, should be given every possible opportunity to achieve their dreams. We equip our students with the tools to gain acceptance at four-year colleges and universities. This includes assistance to successfully navigate the financial aid process.
WHY MINDS MATTER?
You might assume that accomplished students who work hard will move forward - easily - toward a college degree. Unfortunately the facts tell a different story. Learn about the challenges facing our students below, and how Minds Matter Chicago helps students face and overcome those challenges.
The
- Only 3% of students at the nation’s most competitive schools are from a low-income background.
- Not long ago, the U.S. high school graduation rate hit 82%. However, the national average for low-income students was just 74.6%. That rate was even lower for economically disadvantaged students in the Chicago Public School system at just 67.1%.
- 20% of college students from the lowest income bracket completed a bachelor’s degree by age 24 compared with 99% of students in the highest income bracket, that same year.
- College graduates earn a staggering 84% more than high school graduates. Without appropriate college preparation and access, low income students will not earn a college degree, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
How We Respond
- Students are paired with two mentors who regularly help them with course work and other academic assignments during our weekly sessions. They help their student to apply for summer prep programs during their sophomore and junior years. And our mentors play an important role in the ultimate college application processes during senior year
- The Minds Matter program includes free standardized test preparation, community service efforts, writing and speaking skills and other skills that benefit the student academically. Ultimately, this plays a role in expanding personal life skills.
- We send our students to academic summer programs in their sophomore and junior years at NO COST to the student, their family or their school. As with the rest of our program, these summer programs are fully funded by our organization through the generosity of our donors and corporate sponsors.
- Minds Matter helps our mentees and their families navigate the often complicated financial aid process, to make sure that any and all funding available is accessed by every student.
How You Can Help
With the amazing contributions of our mentors, donors and corporate sponsors, we are successfully defying these odds.
With your help, more hard-working, high-potential students will benefit from our program.