HandUp Fund
Many HBCU students are faced with financial challenges that put their academic or career paths at risk. Housing, transportation, school supplies—these basic needs can become major roadblocks. But with your help, we can give students like Jessica the resources they need to overcome these obstacles and seize the opportunities before them.
HandUp Fund
Many HBCU students are faced with financial challenges that put their academic or career paths at risk. Housing, transportation, school supplies—these basic needs can become major roadblocks. But with your help, we can give students like Jessica the resources they need to overcome these obstacles and seize the opportunities before them.
We don’t believe in handouts. We believe in a hand up
That’s what the HandUp Fund is all about. Life doesn’t stop for students just because they’re trying to succeed. Financial hardship—sometimes as little as $300—can keep a student from registering for the next semester or continuing their journey toward a better future. The HandUp Fund provides support to students in the Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) program who face unexpected challenges throughout the school year. While the Center for Financial Advancement® focuses on building financial knowledge and preparing students for internships and careers, we’ve come to understand that true success comes from supporting the whole person. When a student is facing a personal crisis, they can’t learn. They can’t grow. And they can’t thrive.BR> Your contribution to the HandUp Fund is more than a donation—it’s a direct investment in a student’s ability to stay in school, stay focused, and stay on the path to success.
Delan's Story
Delon, an HBCU student just months from graduating, was excelling in school and working multiple jobs—but an unpaid tuition balance put everything at risk. With his financial resources exhausted, he faced the heartbreaking possibility of not finishing his degree.
The Center for Financial Advancement® HandUp Fund stepped in, covering his balance so he could stay enrolled and graduate on time. It wasn’t just financial help—it was the difference between a setback and a success story.
Iyanna's Story
As a Morgan State University student and Center for Financial Advancement® Scholar, Iyanna was full of ambition and hope for her future. But when a devastating fire destroyed her family’s home, everything changed in an instant. Through the support of the Hand-Up Fund, she found the strength to rebuild and continue pursuing her goals.
Today, Iyanna shares her story as a reminder that even in moments of loss, hope and community can help you rise again.