Since 2018, the SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation has worked alongside SAGE Scholars, Inc. to advocate and promote access to high-quality, affordable, private college education. To achieve this goal, we pledged one million dollars in hard dollar scholarships to help families bridge the gap between what schools are able to offer in financial aid and the cost of tuition, room and board, and additional expenses.

To support this mission, the SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 200 students in 2019. That same year, SAGE Scholars launched the first annual Dr. James B. Johnson Scholarship Essay Contest, awarding a total of $100,000 in hard dollar scholarships to 100 students attending member colleges and universities. To close out the year, $100,000 in scholarships were awarded through educational partners.

In 2020, we aimed even higher. With students navigating the pandemic, SAGE Scholars knew that the SAGE Educational Foundation’s support would be more important than ever for our member students. We proudly awarded $200,000 to 500 students and stepped up with $100,000 in direct COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funds. In total, these efforts directly aided 400 of our SAGE Scholars students who faced financial COVID-related hardships while attending member colleges and universities. In our second annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Essay Contest, 100 SAGE Scholars students encompassed a total 100,000 in scholarship awards for those attending member colleges and universities.

In 2021, we’re stepping up again. As a branch of the SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation, SAGE Secure has created the first no-cost accidental death benefit for the family of students enrolled in one of 443 SAGE Scholars member colleges and universities nationwide. At SAGE Scholars, we recognize the impact that sudden death has on educational retention and family financial health. That’s why we’re committed to providing financial assistance that eases the grieving process for our member students during incredibly difficult times. Beginning this year, the SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation will provide assistance through the SAGE Secure Scholarship to a qualifying student’s sponsor under certain conditions.

And we’re still giving back! In addition to this SAGE Secure benefit, The SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation has proudly awarded $115,000 to students in 2021 so far. In the third annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Essay Contest, SAGE Scholars awarded a total of $100,000 in hard dollar scholarships to 250 students attending member colleges and universities. Further, for our member colleges and universities, we’ve given $15,000 in direct scholarship donations for SAGE Scholars students.

It pays to be a SAGE Scholars student. We know that when our students submit their Tuition Rewards Points and matriculate into our one of our over 400 high-quality, affordable, private colleges, our commitment doesn’t end there. That’s why we’ve continued, every year, to find ways to make private college more affordable for our members and their families. Helping us support you, that’s what SAGE Scholars is here to do!