学生自由倡议 (SFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides a catalyst for freedom in professional and life choices for students attending a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) by increasing their social and economic mobility. In close collaboration with participating schools and other strategic partners, we address the wealth gap through the lens of affordable access to a college education, 有机会进行专业和生活培训, 综合学生服务, 技术提升.  We provide support to students that enable their future personal and professional success in a global marketplace and targeted support to participating institutions that increase their resiliency and competitiveness as anchors within their respective communities.

To date, 学生自由倡议 has received generous contributions from 罗伯特F. 史密斯基金基金会， 思科, 简街, 保德信，和 沃尔玛基金会. 这个项目也一直在 感谢和支持 由 商业圆桌会议的种族平等 & 司法教育小组委员会. 我们提供支持的能力 MSI 学生是基于conti的熔炼d financial support of these donors and others interested in supporting our mission.

作为一个慈善家，一个行业领袖和一个 企业家罗伯特·F. 史密斯 利用他的平台帮助为美国创造机会.S. minorities to challenge themselves to achieve excellence academically and professionally. 史密斯 is the founding director and President of the Fund II Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization serving the Black community through grants to preserve culture, 保护环境, nurture talent through education and liberate the human spirit by connecting the students of today with the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow.

随着 Vista Equity Partners创始人、董事长兼首席执行官, 史密斯 has a vision for the future of the global digital economy that ensures diverse communities are not left behind. One of 史密斯’s strengths is his ability to find elegant solutions to complex problems. 史密斯 credits this to the chemical engineering degree he earned at Cornell University. 康奈尔大学的那所学校现在被命名为 罗伯特F. 史密斯化学与生物分子工程学院，以纪念他的成就. 史密斯, 一个Alpha Phi Alpha兄弟, recognized the proud history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the United States, 谁的毕业生是商业领袖, 教育工作者, 顶尖科学家和政治家. And, he saw a way to expand that legacy for more students.

史密斯，在。 莫尔豪斯学院2019届毕业典礼致辞, enacted his idea of how to further the mission of MSIs by pledging $50 million to the 学生自由倡议. 通过减少或消除毕业生的债务负担, the creative and generative potential of each student could be unlocked to empower communities.

The problem 史密斯 wanted to help solve is the lack of intergenerational wealth in the Black community. Currently, 60% of African American wealth is consumed 由 servicing of student loan debt. 根据负责任贷款中心的数据, Black students with bachelor’s degrees owe approximately twice as much as their white classmates four years after graduation.

To be eligible to receive funding from 学生自由倡议, a student’s school must be a participant in the income-contingent funding alternative component of 学生自由倡议’s program，和 student must meet all the following criteria immediately prior to the disbursement of funds (as determined and confirmed by student’s school):

(a) Completed a FAFSA or acceptable alternative state aid application that is accepted and approved by student’s school;

(b)有效的社会安全号码;

(c)Not an international student or foreign exchange student authorized
持非移民签证进入美国;

(d)多数年龄或以上;

(e)所资助学年的大三或大四学生;

(f)Enrolled full-time for the coming academic term (unless we grant an exception because student requires less than full-time enrollment to complete his/her bachelor’s degree in her/his final year of study);

(g)Working towards a degree in an approved STEM major; and

(h)Meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined by student’s school.

请注意:你可能有资格获得联邦学生贷款. 了解更多信息, contact your school’s financial aid office or the Department of Education at: StudentAid.政府