Fund Initiatives

Kids2College — Middle School Resources

Kids2College Florida sixth-grade participant Kids2College Florida sixth-grade participant

Saving for College

Saving for College "Saving for College: What You Can Do Today to Cover Your College Costs" is an easy-to-read introduction to savings tools for families preparing to make the investment in higher education. This four-page resource offers both parents and students tips on smart saving strategies and a brief description of the financial tools available, including 529 college savings plans, pre-paid tuition plans, and college rewards programs. Download Saving for College. (PDF, 4MB) Download Saving for College in Spanish. (PDF, 5MB)

From Aspirations to Action: The Role of Middle School Parents in Making the Dream of College a Reality

From Aspirations to Action In 2007, the Institute for Higher Education Policy, with support from The Sallie Mae Fund, conducted a first-of-its-kind national survey of the parents of middle school students. The research found that while nine out of 10 parents expect to watch their child walk across a stage to receive a college degree, many moms and dads aren't doing all they can to make that dream a reality. In fact, nearly half of all parents of middle schoolers have not started planning for college and nearly two-thirds have not started saving. Read more.


 

A Voice From the Middle

In 2007, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) released the results of A Voice From the Middle, a nationwide poll of middle level students. Conducted by Harris Interactive, the survey of 1,814 students in grades seven and eight reveals several stark contrasts between students' educational goals and their beliefs about how they will achieve them. The poll may be the very first national snapshot of the aspirations and school experiences of middle-level students. Read more (PDF, 128KB).

Reclaiming the American Dream

A 2006 Bridgespan report funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation noted that understanding the link between education and career aspirations is one of the most effective ways to enable more low-income students to get into and through college. Read more.