Many African-American high school students have everything it takes to enter into and successfully complete postsecondary education -- talent, motivation, and goals. The door to higher learning for these deserving students should be open wide. Unfortunately, more often than not, talent and motivation alone are not enough to realize the dream of higher education. These students face numerous barriers to higher education, the most paramount of which is access to financial aid. It is this lack of funds that often deters them from fulfilling their aspirations beyond high school.

College-bound lower income African-American students are increasingly left behind. College tuition costs are escalating at a rate that is more than three times the rate of inflation and need-based financial aid is steadily decreasing.

In the early 90's, college aid programs and government programs took the initiative to increase aid to students with talent, not taking their need into account. This is merit-based giving and it is a trend that has negatively impacted the poorest students with the greatest needs. Merit-based giving is rising dramatically. The National Association of State Financial Aid Administrators reported that need-based aid on a national level increased 41 percent during the 1990's while merit-based aid jumped by more than 200%!

Consequently, the failure to invest in the higher education of these lower-income African American students has a monumental effect on the prosperity, security, and vitality of our region.

NEED's Unmet NEED Scholarship Program, our hallmark program, has assisted over 17,000 students with over $16 million in grants and scholarships.

In addition to our last-dollar funding, NEED is aggressively pursuing our workforce development component, working to match our recipients with internships both pre- and post-graduation. Our asset-building efforts through endowment fundraising have become a focal point for the Board of Trustees and NEED staff. A healthy endowment can ensure that our programs and services are around for as long as they are needed.

For over 40 years the brightest and most talented African Americans in our communities have been empowered by their NEED grants. The next generation of these scholars deserve no less.

Please continue to join us in educating and employing the next generation.

Sincerely,
Sylvester Pace
President & CEO