Blowing Past the Odds: Graduation Outcomes for Financially Vulnerable STEM Students
Sarah Outland, Ph.D., examines graduation findings that demonstrate the impact of targeted financial investment in students approaching the finish line.
Meeting Persistence With Trust
Ruthe Farmer reflects on the student journeys and outcomes behind Last Mile’s 2025 Annual Impact Report and the role of trust in supporting completion.
How Community and Support Kept Me Moving Forward in Tech
Through grief, tuition pressures, and an unpredictable path, Etelson found a community that kept him moving toward his future in tech.
Student Success ROI Requires More Than Program Design
CUNY Dean Aankit Patel makes the case that academic innovation delivers its full value when students also have the financial support to finish.
A Thousand Dollars Can Change a Life — And America Is Leaving Millions on the Table
Small financial emergencies can derail years of academic progress, revealing a gap in student support that timely, flexible awards can close.
Angelina’s Journey From 3 A.M. Shifts to a Cybersecurity Career
From early morning shifts and family responsibilities to a security engineering role at Microsoft, Angelina shares the support that kept her on track to graduate.
How Small Awards Create Extraordinary Impact
Discover how a timely completion award can unlock a STEM degree and generate lasting benefits through increased earnings and contributions to society.
Almost There: My Journey, and the Support That Made It Possible
When a delayed scholarship threatened her engineering degree, a timely Last Mile award enabled a student to graduate and begin her semiconductor career.
Beyond Merit: Rethinking Who Deserves to Graduate
Traditional merit-based aid can overlook students ready to finish, making persistence, potential, and financial need essential considerations in supporting degree completion.
Investing in America’s Future: Semiconductor Leaders and Last Mile Unite to Secure the U.S. Workforce
Semiconductor industry leaders are joining Last Mile to invest in students nearing graduation and strengthen the nation’s engineering and technical workforce.
Building a Career from the Ground Up: Estela’s Last Mile to a New Life
Estela shares how a timely award kept her computer science degree on track, opening a path into engineering and opportunities to support others.
The Hidden Costs of “Almost Graduating”
When small financial shocks prevent graduation, students carry the debt while communities lose the benefits of years of investment in their education.
The Flawed Math of Financial Aid—and the Safety Net That Works
Last Mile’s rapid, flexible awards address the financial gaps and delays that can leave students without a safety net near graduation.
My “Last Mile” Moment
A Nigerian transfer student recounts how a Last Mile award removed financial obstacles on her path to studying human-centered AI at Stanford.
The Shifting Landscape of Student Financial Aid
A look at the changing federal financial aid landscape and what it could mean for students facing financial barriers to graduation.
From the First Mile to a Ph.D.
Amanda reflects on the financial support, encouragement, and opportunities that accompanied her journey from an associate’s degree to a Ph.D. in cybersecurity.
Leading with Pride and Purpose
Perspective on how design, shared values, and partnerships can build community and create a foundation for purposeful leadership.
From a Dream to a Movement: Five Years of Impact with Last Mile Education Fund
Reflecting on five years of growth, Last Mile celebrates the students, partners, and timely investments turning degree completion into a national movement.
Redefining Possible: 12 Students, One Advocate, and the Power of Last Mile
Dr. Deanne Cranford-Wesley shares how timely financial support enabled her HBCU students to persist, graduate, and pursue careers they once struggled to envision.
Bridging Barriers, Building Futures
Dr. Al Leaston shares how his partnership with Last Mile connects IT students with financial support, mentorship, and opportunities to launch their careers.