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100 Renaissance Center/P.O. Box 43105, Detroit
Hero Story
Since 1990, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) has been making an impact for young adults in Southeast Michigan and moving the dial on college access and degree attainment. Guided by our mission to empower and support students to achieve post-secondary success, we provide equitable opportunities for students to earn post-secondary credentials and reach their professional goals. We prioritize first-generation college students with high financial need and start working with our scholars in 10th grade, inspiring them with opportunities like campus visits and college tours, then prepare them for post-secondary success with resources ranging from SAT prep and college application assistance, leadership development and networking opportunities, and post-secondary transition coaching. We believe that the longevity of the relationships we cultivate, paired with our targeted communications and support, differentiates our program and sets our scholars up for success.
DRDFS offers comprehensive support through our Next Level Scholars program, which starts in 10th grade and continues through post-secondary. We work with students at 16 partner high schools and across five counties– Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne– and have awarded scholarships exceeding $4 million to more than 2,000 students since 1990. Our success metrics show our impact:
100% of DRDFS students graduated high school on time in 2024, compared to 87% nationally.
88% of DRDFS students enrolled in post-secondary education within 12 months of high school graduation, compared to 52% of students from low-income high schools nationally.
86% of DRDFS students persisted from their first to second year of post-secondary education, compared to 76% of students from low-income high schools.
What sets DRDFS apart is our holistic approach to student success. We not only provide financial support through scholarships, but also offer comprehensive academic, social, and leadership development through the Next Level Scholars Program. By prioritizing first-generation college students with high financial need, DRDFS is making a difference by increasing equitable opportunities for higher education and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.
100 Renaissance Center/P.O. Box 43105, Detroit
Hero Story
Since 1990, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) has been making an impact for young adults in Southeast Michigan and moving the dial on college access and degree attainment. Guided by our mission to empower and support students to achieve post-secondary success, we provide equitable opportunities for students to earn post-secondary credentials and reach their professional goals. We prioritize first-generation college students with high financial need and start working with our scholars in 10th grade, inspiring them with opportunities like campus visits and college tours, then prepare them for post-secondary success with resources ranging from SAT prep and college application assistance, leadership development and networking opportunities, and post-secondary transition coaching. We believe that the longevity of the relationships we cultivate, paired with our targeted communications and support, differentiates our program and sets our scholars up for success.
DRDFS offers comprehensive support through our Next Level Scholars program, which starts in 10th grade and continues through post-secondary. We work with students at 16 partner high schools and across five counties– Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne– and have awarded scholarships exceeding $4 million to more than 2,000 students since 1990. Our success metrics show our impact:
100% of DRDFS students graduated high school on time in 2024, compared to 87% nationally.
88% of DRDFS students enrolled in post-secondary education within 12 months of high school graduation, compared to 52% of students from low-income high schools nationally.
86% of DRDFS students persisted from their first to second year of post-secondary education, compared to 76% of students from low-income high schools.
What sets DRDFS apart is our holistic approach to student success. We not only provide financial support through scholarships, but also offer comprehensive academic, social, and leadership development through the Next Level Scholars Program. By prioritizing first-generation college students with high financial need, DRDFS is making a difference by increasing equitable opportunities for higher education and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals.