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Everfi and Partners Invest Over $1.5 Million in Scholarships

In a significant move to enhance educational accessibility, Everfi, a revered leader in financial literacy and life skills education, has joined forces with multiple partners to kick off a scholarship initiative with a total commitment surpassing $1.5 million. This endeavor aims to provide students with a clearer pathway to higher education and improve their financial opportunities.

The initiative is backed by prominent organizations, including CalKIDS, the Center for Audit Quality, City National Bank, Edward Jones, MassMutual Foundation, OneMain Financial, PenFed Credit Union, Principal Foundation, and Truth Initiative. With these scholarships, students will receive real financial assistance closely linked with top-notch financial education delivered through Everfi’s reliable engagement and impact framework.

Recurring research highlights that financial barriers remain a significant obstacle for students pursuing postsecondary education. As tuition costs continue to climb, many students find themselves unable to afford college. In 2024, only 62.8% of recent high school graduates enrolled in higher education, a stark decline from previous years, with affordability cited as the primary reason by over half of those opting out. The total cost for attending a four-year college averaged around $38,270 in the 2024-25 academic year, witnessing a staggering rise of over 160% in the last 20 years—significantly outpacing wage increases in numerous communities.

Ray Martinez, CEO of Everfi, expressed the urgency of addressing these educational disparities, stating, “More than ever, students and families need pathways that translate education into opportunity. We’re proud to collaborate with partners that share this vision to bridge opportunity gaps across America.” With Everfi's extensive connections throughout U.S. schools and districts, the organization is well-positioned to enlighten students and families about these valuable scholarship opportunities, ensuring a broad reach and meaningful impact.

This growing initiative coincides with national attention on Invest America, a newly introduced tax-advantaged investment account for children under 18, established through 2025 federal legislation. Starting July 4, 2026, eligible U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 will initially receive a $1,000 federal investment, with provisions for additional contributions from families and other entities. This enhancement of early wealth-building programs aligns perfectly with Everfi's scholarship program, establishing essential connections between high-quality financial education and substantial financial incentives to improve life outcomes.

Paola Garcia-Abbo, vice president and head of impact at OneMain Financial, emphasized the value of these scholarships: “Financial literacy education opens doors, but we know that education costs money. These scholarships remove barriers for students who are building both their knowledge and their futures.” She added, “When we invest in young people this way, we’re investing in stronger, more financially capable communities.”

By collaborating with thousands of school districts across the nation, Everfi has the ability to deliver effective, standards-aligned educational programming while maintaining strong relationships with educators, administrators, and students. Their robust platform not only facilitates scholarship delivery but also drives awareness initiatives that can reach considerable audiences while ensuring responsible implementation in accordance with state and federal regulations.

As various institutions contemplate strategies to effectively scale early financial education programs, these scholarship opportunities provide not only immediate relief for students but also instill confidence and promote long-term financial stability. This initiative stands to reshape the educational landscape, making college accessible to more young individuals, thereby uplifting entire communities.

For more information about Everfi and their impactful initiatives, visit everfi.com. Follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter @Everfi to stay informed about their latest developments and educational resources.