Amber, a State Farm Scholar, attends Georgia State University - Perimeter College in Decatur, GA, a commuter campus. Something she once never thought possible.

“Before my guidance counselor suggested this opportunity to me, I was wondering how I would pay for school and if I would even attend college because of my financial situation,” said Whitehead.

Thanks to the scholarship program, Amber is able go after her dreams…and her passions. “I have a passion for helping others in as many ways as I possibly can. I love giving back and making a change within my community,” remarked Amber.

Part of the expectation of the scholarship is the scholars volunteer within the community. In fact, all 50 scholars volunteered during the annual Hands On Atlanta Day.

On a warm October Saturday with 3,000 other volunteers, they completed 64 projects across metro Atlanta. Projects focused on food insecurity, homelessness, youth development, senior citizen support, and community beautification.

Elaine Hudson, Associate Director with Hands On Atlanta, coordinated the volunteer projects and was particularly impressed with the State Farm Scholars.

“They were energetic, enthusiastic and ready to volunteer. I could tell they wanted to be there; they were eager to help,” said Elaine.

The scholars volunteered at schools in Decatur where the majority of students are on free or reduced lunches. Fifteen scholars worked at Southwest DeKalb High School where they built a community garden and picnic tables. The other 35 scholars were at Columbia Elementary School where they painted and landscaped. Many of the scholars are alumni of the two schools.

“Even though I graduated from another high school, I was always helping out at Southwest DeKalb throughout my years in high school. I consider it my second school,” shared Amber.

The scholars don’t just volunteer one day a year. They adopted a Boys & Girls Club in South DeKalb County where they help with homework and tutoring being in Spring 2018.

As for Amber, she wants to make it her life’s work to continue giving back – as a teacher. Her first goal is to get a Bachelor’s degree and teach high school mathematics. Then, onward and upward, ultimately obtaining a Master’s degree and becoming a college professor.

“My mother, a single parent, has always stressed to me the importance of education,” Amber said. “If it were not for State Farm, I would not be in college at this very moment heading to success.”

State Farm is providing $20 million to bring this partnership to life. With $14.5 million in support, Georgia State’s Learning, Income and Family Transformation (LIFT) will bring the university’s pioneering data analytics work to students enrolled in two-year degree programs at the university’s Decatur campus of Perimeter College. The remaining $5.5 million will go to non-profits and local schools to provide additional services to help students succeed. This puts the focus for the first time on students at the entry point of their college careers.

According to the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, a college degree in the Atlanta region can increase earnings potential 27% for an associate’s degree and 108% for a bachelor’s degree.

“A college education gives people a better life, but for too many, it is unattainable,” said Georgia State President Mark Becker. “Obstacles students face in pursuing post-secondary education range from difficulty securing financial aid and unreliable transportation to lack of emotional support. First-generation college students are hit hardest, but they have a better chance if helped.”

Georgia State LIFT will track student progress to identify and provide the help needed to overcome a variety of educational obstacles. Progress is tracked across hundreds of indicators to identify potential issues and implement proactive solutions to keep students on track to graduation. Once participating students earn a two-year degree, they will transition to either a four-year degree program or a career. In recent years, graduation rates for Georgia State’s minority and low-income students have more than doubled, and the university now graduates students from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds at comparable rates.

Through Georgia State LIFT, 50 State Farm Scholars scholarships will be awarded annually to deserving students at Perimeter College. The program will also expand staff support in offices critical to student success, support emergency grants to help students cover life’s necessities, fund a peer mentoring program to allow students who have succeeded help other students to do the same, and support financial literacy programming for both students and their families in South DeKalb communities. In addition, State Farm employees will volunteer their time and expertise to these programs and will support students through professional development and networking opportunities.

“Georgia State and State Farm have the common goal of helping to solve issues important to metro-Atlanta,” said State Farm Chairman, President and CEO Michael Tipsord, “and helping students graduate is key to Atlanta’s future. Working together creates a stronger workforce and better environment for everyone.”

Click to learn more about the program.