The landscape of higher education accessibility in metro Atlanta is facing a significant threat as federal cuts to AmeriCorps programs loom large.
These cuts have the potential to stifle the progress made by numerous initiatives that support first-generation and low-income students, such as the Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound Program at Clark University.
Damian Ramsey, the program’s beneficiary and current Director of Postsecondary Partnerships at Learn4Life, emphasizes the transformative power these programs have had in his life.
“One of those programs was the Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound Program at Clark University.
Part of the federal TRIO family of college access initiatives, it supports first-generation and low-income students, providing exposure, encouragement, and a clear path to higher education,” Ramsey shared.
He credits the program for not only enabling him to attend college but also for instilling a sense of possibility that has since extended to his siblings.
As a result, their family’s narrative has fundamentally changed.
However, the recent drastic reductions in funding for and proposals to eliminate TRIO programs, such as AmeriCorps, present alarming challenges.
“These aren’t just budget lines. They’re lifelines,” Ramsey expressed.
Across metro Atlanta, numerous students are receiving critical support from programs like College Advising Corps, College AIM, The Scholarship Academy (TSA), and Communities In Schools.
While not all of these programs rely on AmeriCorps for funding, many owe their success to the dedication of AmeriCorps members, who assist students through critical processes like FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, and college applications.
Their contributions go beyond improving access; they have the potential to transform lives.
A recent landscape analysis conducted by Learn4Life and Achieve Atlanta has highlighted ongoing efforts to boost postsecondary access in the region.
Many school districts are embedding college and career readiness into their strategic objectives, utilizing data to inform actions, enhancing FAFSA completion rates, and working with nonprofits such as The Scholarship Academy to bolster their advising capabilities.
Notably, this year, TSA achieved impressive results by helping students at 12 Title I high schools complete 1,247 FAFSAs, leading to a 78% completion rate—significantly surpassing Georgia’s average of 47%.
However, despite these achievements, the elimination of AmeriCorps stands to jeopardize the very foundation upon which these programs operate.
In April 2025, the federal government enacted a $400 million cut to AmeriCorps, resulting in the loss of funding for at least 21 programs in Georgia alone and displacing over 540 AmeriCorps members and volunteers.
Notably, The Scholarship Academy lost its entire team, which had contributed over 115,000 minutes of personalized advising this year.
The ramifications of these cuts extend beyond financial implications.
Jessica Johnson, founder of The Scholarship Academy, articulated the profound impact these funding reductions have on nonprofits.
“The loss of AmeriCorps isn’t just hurting students—it’s straining the capacity of nonprofits that were already stretched thin.
We’re being asked to do more with less, at a time when the stakes for students couldn’t be higher,” she asserted.
The urgency of the situation raises questions: how can stakeholders safeguard the progress achieved thus far and ensure students receive the support they need?
In response, Ramsey and his team at Learn4Life are mobilizing the Postsecondary Change Action Network to create a sustainable future for these initiatives.
Their strategy includes several proactive measures:
– Elevating student and advisor voices by amplifying stories from those most affected by AmeriCorps funding cuts.
– Engaging local networks through partnerships with churches, alumni groups, and civic organizations to foster greater awareness and support.
– Exploring shared staffing models in collaboration with nonprofit partners to optimize the placement of trained advisors where demand is greatest.
– Seeking emergency funding by partnering with district foundations, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic allies to maintain critical services.
Amid these efforts, Ramsey reflects on his own journey.
“I know what it’s like to be the kid who doesn’t know if college is for them until someone shows up and says it is.
That someone, for me, was an Upward Bound advisor. For thousands of students across metro Atlanta, it’s been an AmeriCorps member, offering the steady guidance that turns potential into progress,” he stated passionately.
As the region doubles down on enhancing college access opportunities, it is crucial to recognize the dire importance of the individuals who facilitate these pathways.
They are not mere accessories; they serve as anchors in a sea of uncertainty.
The hope is to prevent a generation of students from having their futures stalled just as they embark on the journey of higher education.
By ensuring they have the support needed, we can empower them to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams.
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