The Last Mile, Together
Fast, flexible support to keep your STEM students on track to graduation
You know your students. You see their promise and their pressures. You’ve stretched emergency funds, loaned textbooks, and referred every campus resource you can. And sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, the gap is still there. That’s where we come in.
Last Mile provides fast, flexible grants for students within four semesters of graduation in tech and engineering fields. We respond quickly so students can stay enrolled and finish strong. Turn to us when traditional aid can’t move fast enough or doesn’t fit the reality your STEM students are living.
When a small bill becomes a big barrier, send them our way.
Last Mile has made a real, tangible difference in out students’ lives, providing them with the financial support to continue their education and work toward a brighter future. The impact extended beyond individual students to the entire college community. As a direct consequence of the increased financial support, student enrollment in the IT pathway at Durham Tech saw a noticeable increase. The availability of these funds helped attract new students who were previously unable to enroll due to financial constraints. The program has been a catalyst for growth and opportunity within our institution.
Al Leaston, Ed D
Assistant Dean, Business, Entrepreneurship and IT,
Durham Technical Community College
It Works
Last Mile Education Fund partners with colleges and universities to ensure students make it across the finish line to graduation. We provide rapid, flexible financial support for students in high-demand STEM fields who are academically on track but facing unexpected financial barriers.
Faculty play a critical role in referring students who are at risk of stopping out—whether due to a car repair, tuition gap, or childcare cost—so that a timely award can keep them moving forward.
By working together, we turn persistence into graduation and graduation into impact for your students and your institution.
Awardees report big jumps in confidence and on-time completion, and our students graduate at 74%—nearly triple the national rate for the lowest-income students.
There is no merit gatekeeping and no GPA cutoffs or long essays. We center sufficiency and trust.
We are student-focused and equity-driven — built for first-generation and financially vulnerable students navigating complex realities.
These are not loans. These are financial awards that remove financial friction so students can focus on academics
Refer a student when common, solvable barriers in their final stretch threaten to derail their graduation:
Tuition gaps or past-due balances threatening enrollment
Laptop replacement or essential tech for coursework
Transportation/car repair, housing, or utilities that jeopardize attendance
Childcare needs that impact class or clinicals
Licensure/certification and exam fees
Professional readiness (e.g., required tools, software, interview travel)
Rapid decisions.
We move quickly so students can stay enrolled, complete courses, and accept opportunities.
Your work helped us at Henry Ford College develop and implement a robust emergency aid program that is helping not only retain our students, but helping them across the finish line with a certificate or degree. This enabled us then show proof of concept to the State of Michigan and enabled us to receive a $517,000 grant expressly for barrier removal!
You are positively impacting the credential attainment initiative and helping establish students in great jobs and having opportunities for excellent livelihoods.
Thank you!
Holly Diamond
Vice President of Student Affairs,
Henry Ford College
Trust & Transparency
We understand our students—and we design for their reality. Many are first-gen, working, caregiving, or commuting. Our process is FERPA-aware and intentionally as light as possible so support can move at the pace of their lives.
Keeping it simple: We collect what’s necessary to verify enrollment, degree progress, and the specific barrier to progress.
We avoid burdensome paperwork: no GPA cutoffs, no long essays, no tax returns.
Built to reduce administrative lift: faculty and staff aren’t asked for lengthy letters or multi-step forms.
Privacy by design: student information is handled securely and we use plain-language requests and mobile-first forms so students can respond quickly and confidently.
Transparent communication: students know what we’re asking for and why, how funds will be disbursed, and what to expect next—decisions in days, not months.
Bottom line: We collect the essentials, protect what we collect, and keep the lift low—for students and for you. Students can expect a timely decision so they can stay enrolled, finish on time, and step into internships or jobs
The financial support provided by the Last Mile Education Fund has been instrumental in helping students complete their technology courses and programs, as well as prepare for industry certifications that enhance their job readiness. What sets Last Mile apart is its unique focus on students in the final stretch, especially for those who have come so far but risk stopping out due to small, often urgent financial gaps. These last-mile challenges are among the most critical, and without this support, many students would be unable to finish.I would encourage all tech faculty from community colleges to explore and champion this initiative. Funders should know that their investment in this model delivers immediate and meaningful returns. In one sentence: Last Mile bridges the gap between potential and achievement, turning educational aspirations into career realities.
Antonio Delgado
Vice President of Innovation and Technology Partnerships
Miami Dade College
Impact
11,000+
STUDENT INVESTMENTS
At Last Mile, our support isn’t restricted to tuition alone. If a student is at risk of leaving school because of an unexpected expense—whether it’s a car repair, childcare, housing, or another urgent cost—we can step in. Awards are provided as direct cash gifts, with no tax consequences for the student and no impact on their existing scholarships or aid packages.
<$3,000
AVERAGE INVESTMENT PER STUDENT
We’re not solving enormous problems—we’re addressing the small but critical obstacles that can derail a student’s progress. Often, removing just one barrier is enough for students to cross the finish line with confidence.
74%
CONFIRMED GRADUATION RATE
That’s almost triple the national rate for students from the bottom income quartile—and even higher for community college transfers.
246x
$246 IN IMPACT FOR EVERY $1
Our model delivers an extraordinary return on investment—every dollar we provide to students generates ripple effects in graduation rates, career readiness, and community impact, creating far greater outcomes than the initial support itself.
In Their Own Words
I found Last Mile during my last semester at community college. When I applied, I was working two jobs to make university a reality. I felt a lot of uncertainty and worry about affording this next step in my education. Getting support allowed me to feel more confident about my decision to attend university. It enabled me to make decisions based on purpose rather than fear.
Rachel M.
University of Maryland, Class of 2022
Due to health issues, I quit my job that helped pay for school. My family helped briefly, but after my dad's stroke and unexpected medical expenses, they couldn’t support my final year. I was unsure how I’d afford tuition and rent for the next 5 months. At a tech career fair, I ran into Last Mile. I had just quit my job to focus on my health and stay in school, giving up my scholarship. Without Last Mile, I would have had to take a semester off to save and then re-enroll. Today Rebekah is finishing her degree and graduating in May 2025.
Rebekah W.
University of Maryland, Class of 2025
As a student away from home, the pandemic almost left my sister and I homeless and without support. Last Mile aid helped my sister and I afford basic living expenses during the pandemic. Because I could check off our basic needs, I had the mental space to focus on my studies. I was able to end the semesters with a 4.0 GPA which contributed to graduating Summa Cum Laude and with Distinction. Last Mile is committed to doing that and supporting our dreams and aspirations.
Christabel A.,
Philander Smith University, Class of 2022
"Free, no strings attached financial support for college students?" I thought, "certainly too good to be true!" I left it at that for a while, as I had never imagined an organization like Last Mile could ever exist. However, during the beginning of my junior year, I found myself facing my own financial challenge, where a broken laptop posed an obstacle for my continuing education. Without a laptop, I wouldn't be able to apply and interview for summer internships, which are one of the most critical ways students can be set up for early-career success. Desperate, I turned to Last Mile, who stepped in to cover the costs of my laptop, ensuring I could continue to reach and fight for opportunities that would have otherwise been closed to me.
In December, I graduated from both my Bachelor's and Master's in Computer Science at Stanford, focusing on the study of Artificial Intelligence, and started my first full time job at Uber as a Software Engineer! I can't wait to see all the accomplishments from Last Mile students like me in the future, and I look forward to giving back to the Last Mile community.
Flora H.
Stanford University, Class of 2024
This support came at a crucial juncture in my educational journey. Being solely responsible for financing my college education, the Last Mile funding lifted a significant financial burden and provided me with invaluable resources.
Justin V.
Central Connecticut State University Class of 2022
The funding I received from Last Mile gave me the freedom to focus on my studies, research, and community-led grant projects. Without Last Mile’s support, there’s no way I would have been able to accomplish so much. I make sure to tell everyone I can about Last Mile, encouraging them to apply. The challenges in my field are tough enough, and I explain how Last Mile can ease the pressure of both school and personal life. With their support, students can focus more on their education and make the most of their academic journey.
Stephanie M.
University of Houston-Downtown, Class of 2026
For most of my college journey, I was stuck in a cycle—working multiple jobs just to keep up with tuition, constantly stressed about whether I could even afford to finish. Then I found Last Mile. My initial reaction was that this has to be a unreal. Free funding to help me graduate? It felt too good to be true. But taking that leap changed everything. Last Mile lifted the weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on my education instead of just surviving. Looking back, I wish I had known about it sooner—but instead of dwelling on that, I now use my experience to spread the word. Through NSBE and ColorStack, I want every student facing the same struggles to know that help is out there. Last Mile is here for students, and it’s life-changing.
Beteab T.
St. Cloud University, Class of 2025
I previously had support from my parents but after they divorced every expense was left up to me. I was working part time as a scrum master intern but I did not have enough funds to cover my bills and college expenses. I remember receiving the email that I had received funding. At the time where I felt alone, I immediately felt supported and encouraged to finish my degree.
Jana J.
University of Houston, Class of 2020
I was an undergraduate student facing significant financial and emotional hardships due to the loss of my father to cancer, as well as the passing of family members and others within our Navajo Nation community to COVID-19. This support not only enabled me to complete my undergraduate degree but also motivated me to pursue graduate studies and a career in technology.
Felicie T.,
Navajo Technical University, Class of 2023
Last Mile Education Fund significantly improved my motivation and persistence in attaining my bachelor's degree by providing financial relief, positive mental wellness, and encouragement.
Because of Last Mile, I am able to fulfill my academic achievements and personal goals. I've recently heard back from the University of New Mexico and I've been accepted into the Department of Computer Engineering program! I will be attending UNM to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in the Internet of Things. Last Mile gave me the motivation and courage to complete my undergraduate degree which is an opportunity that I'm forever grateful for.
Tamara F.
Northern New Mexico College, Class of 2024
Include Last Mile information in your LMS, syllabus, department newsletters, and advising resource lists
Add Last Mile to official resource pages and advisor toolkits.
Use our faculty toolkit, which provides slides, posters, syllabus text, and a one-pager for quick sharing.
Refer students directly or encourage them to apply with our simple, mobile-friendly form focused on need and timeline.
Share Last Mile With Your Students
Bridge the Last Mile, Together
You’ve called every office and stretched every emergency fund. When the barrier is purely financial, send them to us—simple application, clear communication, rapid decisions.