Earn to Learn FL Raising $420,000 Local Match for Near Peer Coaching Program. The Program targets economically disadvantaged students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Lee, and Collier Counties
Earn to Learn Florida (ETLF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to empower income-challenged students to complete college, announces a campaign to raise $420,000 locally to match federal funding from AmeriCorps, in partnership with Volunteer Florida. ETLF is asking community members to sponsor a Near Peer Coach by contributing matching funds to leverage the federal grant of $648,000 for a total budget of $1 million.
The funding will allow 72 AmeriCorps members to be deployed as Near Peer Coaches for Postsecondary Success to serve 900 hours each during the program year August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022. More than 720 students will receive Near Peer Coaching.
“In 2020, an AmeriCorps grant launched our Near Peer Coaching for Secondary Success,” said Brenda Tate, CEO of Earn to Learn Florida. “This year’s funding, along with the generous support of our local community, will help additional students pursue their dream of completing a postsecondary education with little or no debt.”
Local matching fund partners include:
- United Way Suncoast
- Suncoast Credit Union foundation
- United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties
- Comerica Charitable Foundation
- Regions Bank
Near Peer Success Coaches support students as they transition from high school to a postsecondary education institution. Members focus on advising students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, through the complex steps toward college enrollment, including the admission and financial aid processes.
Each Near Peer Coach will receive a stipend of $9,900, plus a $3,000 scholarship for their continued education upon completion of 12 months of service.
Earn to Learn FL empowers low-to-moderate income students in Florida to earn college degrees and professional certifications with little or no debt through matched savings, personalized financial capability training, and success coaching. In addition, eligible students who establish a habit of saving for higher education can receive matching funds for financial assistance provided by Earn to Learn FL supporters committed to enhancing workforce development and the economic well-being of Florida communities. For more information, please visit EarntoLearnFL.org, or email Brenda Tate at Brenda@EarntoLearnFL.org. To donate, visit https://give.classy.org/nearpeer.