Why This Issue
A college education—be it a Bachelor's, Associate's, apprenticeship or certification—remains the most reliable ladder to a better life. But only when a student pursues and completes it.
Who We Serve
We focus exclusively on barriers faced by students from low-income families, students of color, and students who are first in their families to go to college. They have the most to gain from a degree, but the least support in earning one.
Where We Fund
We fund research and large-scale initiatives nationally. We make competitive grants regionally.
News Releases
Great Lakes Donates $115,000 to 10 Adopted Schools in Local Communities
12/22/2017
Great Lakes' ScholarNet for Private Loans More Widely Used Than Ever Before
11/13/2017
Great Lakes Funding Development of Online Support Community for College Freshman Women
10/30/2017
Great Lakes Shares Lessons Learned from Summer Melt Texting Initiative
10/25/2017
Great Lakes Awards $525,000 in Anniversary Grants in Nine Communities Where Employees Live and Work
09/01/2017
Completion Grants Remove an Obstacle for At-Risk Students Nearing Graduation
08/16/2017
New Initiative Connects Remediation Reforms and Guided Pathways to Boost Student Success
08/15/2017
Great Lakes Awards $1,000 Scholarships to 200 Ohio Apprentices with Financial Need
06/29/2017
Great Lakes Awards $7.2 Million to Launch Emergency Grant Programs at Four-Year Colleges
06/15/2017
Great Lakes Sparking Change in Scholarship Delivery
06/12/2017
Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program to Transfer Portfolio to Great Lakes
06/05/2017
200 Wisconsin Apprentices with Financial Need Awarded $1,000 Scholarships from Great Lakes
03/16/2017
Great Lakes Releases 2016 Philanthropy Report Highlighting $21.9 Million in Grants Awarded
03/09/2017
Great Lakes Invites Four-Year Colleges to Apply for Successful Emergency Grant Program
01/26/2017
USA Funds Transfers Ownership of Nation's Largest Guarantor to Great Lakes
12/07/2016
Great Lakes Commits $2.6 Million to Keep At-Risk Near-Completers on Track to Graduation
11/15/2016
Blackhawk Technical College Students Borrow $700,000 Less, Regain Financial Aid Eligibility
10/21/2016
Achieving the Dream to Enhance Coaching Services with $1 Million Great Lakes Grant
09/15/2016
Great Lakes National Scholarship Awards Over $2 Million to Support College Access
08/24/2016
Great Lakes Awards $1.5 Million to CCRC to Support Guided Pathways Reform in Ohio
08/18/2016
Successful 'New Mathways Project' Expands into Arkansas to Increase Math Achievement
07/14/2016
Great Lakes Career Ready Internship Grant Opportunity Now Open to
Two-Year Colleges
05/19/2016
Study on Student-Faculty Interactions Finds Multi-Channel Communication is Key
05/11/2016
Great Lakes Shares Lessons Learned from 2014-2015 Career Ready Internship Grant Partners
04/21/2016
Student Loans of North Dakota to Transfer Portfolio to Great Lakes
04/01/2016
Great Lakes Releases 2015 Philanthropy Report Detailing $28.5 Million in Commitments
03/31/2016
200 Wisconsin Construction and Industrial Trade Apprentices Receive $1,000 Scholarships
03/09/2016
Great Lakes Shares Best Practices from Three-Year Emergency Grant Program
02/25/2016
Application Period for Great Lakes National Scholarship Begins February 15
02/15/2016
Great Lakes Funds New Emergency Grants Shown to Boost Community and Technical College Completion
12/10/2015
University of Pittsburgh Streamlines Private Student Loan Processing, Improves Student Service
11/19/2015
Great Lakes' Free Tool Adds Early Engagement Outreach Campaigns for Schools
10/27/2015
Great Lakes' Commitment to Producing More Undergraduate STEM Degrees Now Reaches $10.7 Million
10/22/2015
Great Lakes Launches Updated Education Philanthropy Website
10/15/2015
Great Lakes CEO Accepts White House Invitation to Join the College Promise Campaign Advisory Board
10/01/2015
200 Wisconsin Apprentices Will Earn $1,000 Scholarships to Purchase Tools for Their Trades
09/17/2015
400 MPS Grads Eligible for $5 Million in College Scholarships from The Degree Project®
08/13/2015
Great Lakes Introduces Newly Expanded Program to Increase Community College Graduation
07/09/2015
Great Lakes Shares Results of Applicant and Grantee Perception Survey
05/19/2015
Great Lakes Commits $28.6 Million During 2014 to Promote College Access and Completion
05/14/2015
Great Lakes Expands Grants for Colleges Committed to Making Internships More Equitable
04/30/2015
Great Lakes Commits $4.2 Million to Prepare More Students for College Math & English
04/23/2015
Great Lakes' Free Tool Helps Schools Improve Repayment Success for All Their Student Loan Borrowers
02/20/2015