OMAHA, NE. (OCT. 31, 2024) — College Possible Omaha is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Community Impact Fund for its college access and success program. Thanks to the generosity of UWM donors, 1,500 high school and college students from low-income backgrounds will have access to the tools, strategies, and support they need to navigate and overcome systemic barriers to college graduation.
“This investment is a powerful statement of belief in the potential of students and the transformative impact of education,” said Arvin Frazier, senior executive director of College Possible Omaha. “Together, we are not just helping students graduate from college—we’re building a more equitable future for Omaha by empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. This partnership is truly strengthening our community, one degree at a time.”
This funding was awarded thanks to a dedicated group of community volunteers who meticulously reviewed applications and highlighted our program’s vital role in fostering a thriving community. Their commitment and insight underscore a collective effort through UWM to address pressing local needs, ensuring that this funding will directly contribute to meaningful, positive change.
Yexalen, a college student who will graduate in May 2025, said of her experience with College Possible, “College Possible became a beacon of hope during my transition from high school to college, empowering me to realize my full potential. Through personalized coaching, ACT preparation, and invaluable assistance with scholarship applications, College Possible equipped me with the tools and confidence to thrive in higher education.”
College Possible is committed to closing the degree divide by empowering students from underrepresented communities to pursue college degrees. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree—all at no cost to students or their families.
This grant will help fund College Possible Omaha’s comprehensive coaching and support program for the 2024-2025 academic year. Program highlights include:
- Personalized coaching: Tailored guidance from junior year in high school through college completion.
- Intensive support cycle: One of the longest support cycles available, guiding students for up to eight years.
- Guidance for unenrolled students: Specialized interventions to help them continue progressing toward their educational goals.
- No-cost programs: Financially accessible services that remove economic barriers for students and families.
Learn more about College Possible Omaha at CollegePossible.org/Omaha.
About College Possible Omaha:
Since its founding in 2011, College Possible Omaha has empowered students from underrepresented communities on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree—all at no cost to students or their families. Compared to their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree. Headquartered in Saint Pau, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
