Our Mission

The Higher Foundation promotes educational equity by providing basic needs assistance to Georgia students. Our main objective is to help Georgia students from all walks of life overcome basic needs insecurity, so they can go higher in their education and career. Our goal is to consistently increase the Georgia population with an associate’s degree or higher, and we plan to reach our goal by giving Georgia students basic needs assistance. As we make a higher education more accessible, we aim to see every Georgian college educated and fulfilled in his or her career. 

View Our Impact

Our Causes

Basic Needs Insecurity

Students need their basic life and college necessities to excel in their education and career.

Food Insecurity

Students need food to concentrate on their academic studies.

Housing Insecurity

Students need a safe and secure place to call home.

Healthcare Inaccessibility

Students need to be healthy to excel in their education and career.

Career Barriers

Students need professional development and resources to advance in their careers.

Financial Strain

Financial strain is the #1 cause of college dropout.

Our Purpose

Since May 2018, we have helped over 1,000 Georgia students overcome basic needs insecurity. Although we are proud of the impact we’ve made so far, we understand that we’ve barely moved the needle. Together as a state, we can provide basic needs assistance to Georgia students to help them go higher in their education and career and increase Georgia’s post-secondary educational attainment rate.

73%

Basic Needs Insecurity

73% of students face basic needs insecurity, including not having access to food, housing, mental health, childcare, transportation, and internet/technology access.

41%

Food Insecurity

41% of students experience food insecurity, the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one’s basic needs.

48%

Housing Insecurity

48% of students face housing insecurity, the state of not having stable or adequate living arrangements, especially due to risk of eviction or unsafe conditions.

37%

College Admission

37% of the Georgia population did not pursue a college education.

19%

College Retention

19% of the Georgia population started college but did not graduate.

44%

College Completion

44% of the Georgia population has an associate’s degree or higher.

Data Sources: The Hope Center Student Basic Needs Survey Report | Educational Attainment in Georgia

Higher Student Testimonials

For privacy reasons, these pictures of our Higher Students are for illustration purposes only.

The Higher Foundation Grant has helped me to buy some groceries that are good for me and help me to try to eat healthier as a college student.

Higher Student, Valdosta State University

This assistance from the Higher Foundation has greatly assisted me as I began to take on more financial responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants such as this one can really ease the burden off students as they progress through college, and I am grateful for the grant and support that I have received from Higher. It’s truly amazing seeing the dedication and drive from the Higher Foundation to help students!

Higher Student, Georgia Institute of Technology

Thanks to Higher Foundation, I was able to pay for my books that I needed for my classes. The back-to-college kit provided me with essential school supplies that I otherwise would have had to go without. Both of these services also aided me mentally by alleviating some of my stress concerning my finances as a college student.

Higher Student, Agnes Scott College