Some of our students just found out the funding they were counting on isn't coming — at least not on time.

Over the past few weeks, several students in CREO's mentorship program have received notice that a state-funded scholarship or grant they were relying on has been delayed or blocked as a result of an ongoing legal challenge. For families who built their college plans around that funding, the timing couldn't be worse — tuition bills, housing deposits, and book costs don't wait for court decisions.

"Just last week I was informed there would be major changes to my financial aid package due to a recent court ruling. I was then emailed an updated financial aid statement that revealed that more than $13,000 was taken away. Being so close to the start of the school year, I have been scrambling to make an educated decision for this upcoming school year. I am no longer able to afford living in the dorms, but am working hard to make a plan in hopes of being able to still attend classes and commute to school this year." Itzel, class of 2025.

These are students we know personally. We've walked with them through the college application process, celebrated their acceptances, and helped them plan how to pay for school. Now some of them are staring down a gap they didn't create and can't close on their own.

We're launching an Emergency Scholarship Bridge Fund to help.

This fund is built to respond quickly. Students submit a short application along with documentation of their costs and the dates funds are needed, our team reviews it, and — whenever possible — we pay the school or vendor directly so funds go straight to tuition, housing, or required course materials.

This kind of gap isn't new, even if this particular cause is. College students regularly hit financial walls that have nothing to do with how hard they're working: a parent's hours get cut, a laptop breaks right before finals, a housing deposit is due before financial aid disburses, an unexpected medical bill eats the money set aside for books. We built this fund to respond to all of it — and right now, the state funding disruptions have made the need urgent for a specific group of our students.

Your gift goes directly to closing these gaps. No amount is too small — $25 covers a semester of textbooks; $250 can cover a housing deposit; $1,000 can be the difference between a student staying enrolled or having to pause school altogether.

Why It Matters

Seven of our current mentees have been directly affected by recent funding disruptions
Every dollar raised goes toward direct student costs — tuition, housing, books, and required materials
Funds are paid directly to schools and vendors whenever possible, so support goes exactly where it's needed

How Funds Are Used

Tuition and fee gaps
Housing and deposits
Books and required course materials
Technology needed for coursework
Other documented, time-sensitive school costs

Call to Action

Give today to make sure a funding delay doesn't turn into a student dropping out. Every gift — big or small — moves a student closer to staying enrolled and on track.

A group of board members has pledged to match every gift up to $ 5,000 — doubling your impact if we act now.

CREO Emergency College Scholarship Fund

Keeping students on track with pursuing their dreams