Hard work and resilience make college dreams come true for low-income students from a Los Angeles-based nonprofit.
LOS ANGELES, California — In a year marked by unprecedented challenges in higher education, the remarkable achievements of Minds Matter Southern California students shine. Class of 2024 students have been accepted to leading colleges and universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, Stanford, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Pomona, Pitzer, UPenn, Washington University, UCLA, and USC.
Three students from the Class of 2024 have been named Gates Scholars, and one has earned the QuestBridge Scholarship. These prestigious scholarships, covering full tuition, room, and board, will open doors to some of the nation’s most esteemed universities.
“We are incredibly proud of our students,” said Tina Admans, President of Minds Matter Southern California. “By providing a supportive and inclusive environment, we help students reach goals and celebrate achievements. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and grit.”
The path to success was not without obstacles. The repeal of affirmative action in college admissions cast shadows over the prospects of low-income and first-generation students. The FAFSA system, a primary resource for financial aid, faltered, threatening to make college unaffordable. Yet, with perseverance and the unwavering support of the Minds Matter SoCal community, the students turned these obstacles into opportunities to reach their full potential.
“At Minds Matter SoCal, we believe in the potential and power inside every one of us. Students from low-income, underestimated communities deserve every opportunity to pursue their dreams. Our students are living proof that with the right support, they can attend their best-fit college and succeed in their careers,” said Tina Admans.
Photo – Minds Matter Socal Students Bryce, Juan, and Sarahi Celebrating their College Acceptances and Gates Scholarship Awards
Due to the breakdown with the FAFSA system, the final numbers for financial aid and scholarships for the Class of 2024 are still being tallied. However, graduating Minds Matter SoCal students historically earn over an impressive $1.2 million combined.
Minds Matter SoCal is a non-profit college success program that provides rigorous tutoring and mentoring to driven and determined students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Since 2010, Minds Matter SoCal’s unwavering commitment to student success has yielded remarkable outcomes. 100% of program graduates are accepted into four-year colleges—proof of the transformative power of mentorship and academic support. Over 98% graduate from college within five years, defying national averages for low-income students. Moreover, 80% attend the top 50 universities, breaking down barriers that often seem insurmountable for low-income, first-generation students. Minds Matter SoCal students consistently score great results, earning over a million dollars in financial aid annually. To date, the program has graduated 13 Gates and 16 Questbridge scholars. These achievements are not mere statistics; they represent lives changed and futures rewritten.
In a landscape where educational disparities persist, Minds Matter SoCal is a vital resource for low-income students in Los Angeles. The nonprofit thrives on the belief that every driven and determined student deserves success regardless of socioeconomic background. The program surrounds them with a community of support to deliver progressive and tailored programs that empower dreams, cultivate growth, and tackle challenges. Through expanding access to higher education, Minds Matter enables students, their families, communities, and future generations to make their unique mark on the world.