Welcome to Minds Matter Chicago

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 low-income 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:

The Challenge:

• Low-income, high-achieving students are underrepresented at competitive colleges. Only 3% of students at the nation’s most competitive schools are from a low-income background.

• Not too long ago, the U.S. high school graduation rate hit 82%. However, the national average for low-income students was just 74.6% in the same period. That rate was even lower for economically disadvantaged students in the Chicago Public School system at just 67.1%.

• Only about 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.

Sources:

http://www.jkcf.org/assets/1/7/JKCF_True_Merit_Fact_Sheet.pdf
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-high-school-graduation-rate-hits-new-record-high-0
http://cps.edu/SchoolData/Pages/SchoolData.aspx
http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-gap-in-college-graduation-rates-for-rich-and-poor-study-finds-1422997677

YOU can make a difference!

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.