The Opportunity Gap: Millions Left on the Table
Nationally, billions in financial aid go unclaimed each year because the application process is a maze. This disproportionately affects first-generation and low-income students who may lack dedicated support systems.
$3.75 Billion
In federal Pell Grants went unclaimed by eligible high school graduates nationally in a single year.
Only 51%
Of students who don't complete the FAFSA enroll in college, compared to 92% of those who do.
This is money already committed — sitting there waiting for students who simply need to fill out the forms.
Current Sponsors
Thank you to our founding sponsors who are making debt-free college possible for Conway students.
Mr. Davis
The Village at Hendrix
Inuvo
Silverlake Studio
Conway Chamber
Why Sponsor
- • Your $250 investment can help unlock $35,000-$50,000 in existing scholarships — money that's already committed and waiting for students who simply need to complete the applications.
- • We believe our goal of raising $25,000 in local pledges can unlock over $1 million in scholarships for Conway students.
- • 1-2 hours of confusing online forms stand between many students and scholarships worth $60,000 - $400,000.
- • Families juggling jobs, siblings, and tech hurdles often stall out when navigating the overwhelming maze of applications.
- • A modest cash incentive plus ConwayUP guidance raises completion rates dramatically.
- • Your pledge is due only when the student's paperwork is 100% verified by ConwayUP.
How It Works
You Pledge
Commit any amount to support Conway students. No payment required upfront.
Students Work
Students complete FAFSA, state aid, and program-specific applications with our guidance.
We Validate
ConwayUP verifies all required applications are 100% complete.
You Pay
Only after verification, we invoice you and award the scholarship to the student.
If a student doesn't complete the process, your pledge simply expires - you pay nothing.
Benefits to Sponsors
- Name featured on our Sponsor Wall (site footer rotation)
- Thank-you shout-out on ConwayUP social channels
- Annual impact update with anonymized student outcomes
- The satisfaction of opening doors that once felt locked
Sponsorship Levels
| Level | Pledge | Students Impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $250 | 1 |
| Silver | $500 | 2 |
| Gold | $750 | 3 |
| Platinum | $1,000 | 4 |
| Platinum Plus | $1,250+ | 5+ |
Smaller pledges welcome - we combine individual contributions to fund Boost Grants.
Individual & Small Business Support
You can pledge $25, $50, $100, or any amount that feels right. We pool individual pledges together to create Boost Grants, so every contribution makes a direct impact. When multiple community members contribute, we award full $250 Boost Grants to Conway students.
Every dollar counts. Your contribution, no matter the size, helps remove barriers between hardworking students and life-changing opportunities.
Pledge Form
📋 For Businesses:
When you pledge $250, you directly enable a Conway student to complete their college applications and potentially unlock $35,000-$400,000 in scholarships. Your business will be recognized as a community partner supporting local students.
💝 For Individuals:
Want to help but can't pledge the full $250? No problem! Individual contributions of any amount are welcome and appreciated. We pool smaller donations together to create full $250 grants for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a $250 pledge unlock up to $400,000?
Many elite "last-dollar" scholarships-like the QuestBridge National College Match-cover full tuition, housing, and fees at top universities. One ConwayUP co-founder, Joshua Mendoza, is a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar applying this fall; we aim to find several more each year. When students finish the paperwork, six-figure offers follow. Remember: this is money already allocated for students - it's just waiting to be claimed.
When do I pay?
Only after ConwayUP verifies the student has completed every required application step. We'll email an invoice with payment options.
Can I sponsor more than one student?
Absolutely. Choose any pledge amount in $250 increments or contact us for a custom agreement.
What happens if the student never finishes?
No payment is due; your pledge simply expires for that cycle.
How are students matched to sponsors?
First-come, first-served. We pair each pledge with a student who meets income guidelines and commits to a target scholarship program.
Are donations tax deductible?
We are working to partner with a qualified non-profit to ensure all pledges are tax deductible. We will provide updates on tax status before requesting pledge payment.
How is pledge money used?
100% of pledged funds go directly to students as Boost Grants or to cover necessary processing fees. No money is saved or held back - our goal is to award every dollar raised.