Earn to Learn Receives $250,000 from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Funds to Help Low-Income Students Obtain College Degrees with Little to No Student Loan Debt
As part of Financial Literacy Month, Earn to Learn, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to promoting post-secondary educational attainment along with the skills to achieve financial independence, is proud to announce a $250,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
This grant will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve an additional 1,350 students, while expanding Earn to Learn’s signature wrap-around program. Enhancements include increasing financial wellness education by providing Financial Counselors for personalized, one-on-one support and refining the current success coach model to better meet the unique needs of students across Arizona.
“Too many college students are buried in debt before they even get a shot at success,” said Bob Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Earn to Learn is providing a smarter path forward with tools and support students need to graduate with confidence and with little to no debt.”
Earn to Learn is a groundbreaking Arizona-based program that partners with students to provide financial literacy education, financial coaching, and matched-savings scholarships to cover unmet needs in higher education. Since its inception, the program has supported thousands of Arizona students in earning college degrees, with 95 percent graduating debt-free or with minimal debt (less than $10,000).
Eligible students and their families deposit $500 into a savings account each year, then receive an 8-to-1 match through combined university support and other public and philanthropic funding. This results in a total of $4,500 per academic year to assist with tuition, room and board, childcare, and other approved educational expenses.
“When students understand how to manage money, they’re better equipped to make informed decisions in every part of life,” said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Earn to Learn’s financial literacy tools, coaching, and incentive to save are a winning combination that prepares young people for a lifetime of success.”
Gabriella, an Earn to Learn alumna, exemplifies the program’s impact. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022, having utilized the Earn to Learn program for four years, and is currently employed by Raytheon in Tucson. She participated in the mentoring program with Raytheon during her post-secondary journey and was hired full-time upon graduation. Now she’s paying it forward as a mentor to a student, sharing her experiences and insights.
“As we continue to navigate the financial challenges of higher education, we are proud to stand alongside students, families, and educators in the ongoing effort to promote financial literacy,” said Kate Hoffman, Founder and CEO of Earn to Learn. “Here in Arizona, more than 43 percent of students with student loan debt did not even obtain a college degree. Our goal is to minimize or eliminate those financial burdens. We know that financial literacy is foundational to the success of our future leaders, and we’re deeply appreciative of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation’s support.”
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are being accepted now through May 1, 2025. Students interested in learning more about Earn to Learn can visit: www.earntolearn.org.