Milwaukee program secures $7.4M grant to double support for low-income college students

 

MILWAUKEE — In a city where an estimated 15% of high school graduates earn a postsecondary degree within six years, a new grant aims to change the trajectory for hundreds of students.

All-In Milwaukee, a college completion program focused on supporting low-income students, announced Tuesday that they were awarded a $7.4 million grant over the next five years. Ascendium Education Group is the grant provider to All-In Milwaukee

The grant will enable All-In Milwaukee to double its impact, expanding services to reach 1,000 students annually by 2029. The program provides financial support, advising, and resources to help students navigate the challenges of higher education and improve their odds of graduating.

Milwaukee faces a persistent gap between education and economic opportunity. According to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, only a small fraction of the city’s high school graduates complete college, while nearly two-thirds of jobs in Wisconsin that pay $50,000 or more annually require a degree. Researchers say this disparity limits access to upward mobility for many low-income students in the city.

Allison Wagner, executive director of All-In Milwaukee, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the program’s approach.

“In addition to the federal aid program and financial aid support, our students receive tremendous wraparound support from their scholar advisors and their program team. We work with them on academic advising, program building, building community on campus, and career development and placement to make sure we are retaining our diverse talent here in Wisconsin,” she said.

For Maayan Montoute, a 2023 graduate of UW-Madison, All-In Milwaukee’s support was vital.

“It was such a great help because I know so many people who have student debt. I mean you could look at the nation right now, that's a big part of where people's money goes to. That's not the experience I had to deal with. Especially being first gen, it was something I was nervous about, but thanks to the program I was able to get guidance all the way through,” she shared.

The grant announcement comes as policymakers and organizations across the state increasingly focus on closing education and workforce gaps. By boosting college completion rates among low-income students, All-In Milwaukee aims to equip graduates with the skills and credentials needed to thrive in Wisconsin’s economy.

For more information about the program and its mission, click here.