Wallin Education Partners has developed and employs successful strategies to address the serious problems of low college persistence and graduation rates. Overall college graduation rates are low both nationally and in Minnesota. On average, college graduation is even lower for students with financial need, students who are the first in their family to attend college, and students of color. Our organization promotes college persistence and graduation by providing not only financial aid but also active advising and guidance.

Since 1992, Wallin Education Partners has awarded college scholarships to thousands of promising Twin Cities’ high school students with financial need. We partner with high schools, colleges, and donors to better ensure that our scholars live up to their promise—that they graduate from college, launch successful careers and ultimately contribute to the future health and vitality of our communities.

Our shared commitment to these students goes beyond the financial. We recognize that even when students are academically prepared, they still need support to navigate the transition to college and to persist once they get there. Scholars are assigned Wallin Program advisors who track their progress to graduation and help them access the support they need to succeed. Our advisors work in partnership with college and university personnel to connect scholars with the appropriate on-campus resources and coach them to advocate on their own behalf.

At any given time, Wallin Education Partners and donors are financially, academically, and personally supporting over 600 college students. Three million dollars is committed every year to provide both scholarships and guidance for scholars. With our recent graduation rates exceeding 75%, our unique approach is proven to work.

Wallin Education Partners is currently embarking on an ambitious plan to expand the number of donor partners, scholarships and participating high schools.