Success Stories
Real barriers. Real breakthroughs.
The stories below are drawn from the experiences of Rise Above Poverty students, mentors, and families. Names and specific details have been changed or generalized to protect student privacy, and each story is presented as an illustrative example of the kinds of outcomes our programs support.
Illustrative Story
Jasmine, Meridian
"I'll graduate next spring as a first-generation college student. Rise Above Poverty helped with my FAFSA and paid for the textbooks I couldn't afford."
Jasmine grew up watching her mother work two jobs to keep the lights on. She graduated in the top ten percent of her class but struggled to find the money for her first semester of college. A Rise Above Poverty scholarship covered her books and a mentor helped her file the FAFSA for the first time. She now studies social work and plans to return to Meridian after graduation.
Illustrative Story
Marcus, Philadelphia
"My mentor helped me polish my scholarship essay and prepared me for the interview. Today I'm in nursing school and planning to serve back home."
Marcus knew he wanted to work in healthcare after watching a family member navigate a serious illness. He was the first person in his family to consider college and did not know where to begin. Through weekly meetings with a volunteer mentor and an emergency micro-grant that covered a required exam fee, Marcus enrolled in a Mississippi nursing program and continues to work part-time at a local clinic.
Illustrative Story
Alicia, Newton County
"I never thought welding school was possible for me. The scholarship covered my tools and I'm now working full-time and mentoring others."
Alicia enrolled in a welding certificate program at her local community college but did not have the equipment or protective gear the program required. A Career & Trades scholarship covered her tools and gear, and she completed the program in less than a year. She now works full-time for a local manufacturer and mentors new students entering the trade.
Illustrative Story
David, Enterprise
"The application workshop taught me how to write about myself without feeling like I was bragging. That skill has helped me in job interviews too."
David was a strong student but hated writing personal essays. A Rise Above Poverty workshop walked him through a simple structure and gave him honest feedback on his drafts. He earned a scholarship the following spring and is now a rising junior studying computer science.
Illustrative Story
Renee, DeKalb
"As an adult learner and a mom, I never thought I would go back to school. I did — and my kids saw me do it."
Renee returned to community college in her mid-thirties to pursue an associate degree in accounting. Balancing full-time work, three kids, and coursework required more grit than she thought she had. Our Adult Learner scholarship helped her cover childcare during evening classes; she graduated with honors last spring.
Illustrative Story
Trey, Quitman
"My laptop died two weeks before finals. A micro-grant kept me from failing the semester."
When his four-year-old laptop finally quit, Trey didn't know how he would finish his coursework in time. A same-week emergency micro-grant covered a refurbished replacement, and Trey went on to complete his junior year with a 3.6 GPA.
Share Your Story
Are you a Rise Above Poverty alumnus?
We would love to feature your story — in your own words. Sharing helps future students see themselves in the possibilities ahead of them.