Our Story:

​Navigating the college application process can be overwhelming for many high school students. And when students get to college, many hit roadblocks and veer off course. For many, the key to successfully completing college is benefiting from a support system. Unfortunately, too many students from our community lack resources and guidance.

That is why in 2011, we started Evanston Scholars. 

​And now, with passionate staff, dedicated mentors, individual donors from the community, grants, and numerous volunteers, we are successfully building our program. Our network is growing. Our Scholars are becoming more prepared for the future. Our community is benefiting.

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What We Do:

Evanston Scholars is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that improves college access and success for a diverse group of ambitious Evanston students who are traditionally first-generation college entrants, low-income students, and students of color, starting with the college admissions process and continuing through college graduation.

The comprehensive, six-year program offers workshops, mentors, ACT prep, and college counseling to support students with financial and/or academic needs.

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Impact:

College Graduation = Our Goal
​
Evanston Scholars graduate from college at a rate of 83%.*  Nationally, only 11% of first-generation and low-income college-goers finish college.

*6-year graduation rate for our first two cohorts).

SAT Score Improvement = More Options

100 point average increase in SAT score following test preparation course.

More Applications =
​Finding the Right Fit

​Evanston Scholars submit an average of 9 college applications each, compared to the national average of 3.

​​​Financial Health = Our Scholars' Future

​Evanston Scholars earn an average of $125,000 in debt-free scholarships and financial aid over four years of college. 

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First-Generation

• 85% of our students will be the first in their families to complete college
  

ETHS Students

• Apply in 10th grade
• Over 2.7 GPA

Under-resourced Populations

• Our students are primarily from low-income families (85% qualify for free/reduced lunch)

Do you know a potential Evanston Scholar?
If you are a teacher/administrator, church member, community leader, etc. and would like to have a representative from Evanston Scholars speak to a group of your students/parents about this opportunity, please contact our Executive Director, Steve Newman:
[email protected]. ​
​Learn more about our Applications!

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Why We Serve:

We are a six year program dedicated to helping ETHS students succeed during high school and through college graduation.

Some studies suggest that many students drop out of college because they don't find a "good fit" college and are not fully informed about their choices.

Many studies cite that college preparatory guidance is a key factor to increase enrollment in college for low-income students.

DID YOU KNOW?

• A graduate of a four year college will make almost $1.2Million more than a high school graduate over a lifetime.
• Roughly 50% of students will drop out of college, and 75% of those leave within their first two years.
• A recent national study stated that ​​only 34% of low-income students attend college compared to 83% of students from high-income families.
• 50% of students from high-income families complete college by the age of 25, whereas only 10% of students from low-income families complete college by the age of 25.

​Evanston Scholars provides fundamental college advising proven to help students accomplish their academic goals.