• About
    • About Bennett
    • Accreditations
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • History
    • Institutional Advancement
    • Office of the President
    • Parents’ Association
    • Steele Hall Gallery
    • Visiting Bennett
    • Women’s Business Center of Greensboro
  • Admissions
    • How to Apply
    • New Student Checklist
    • Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
    • FAFSA
    • F.A.Q.
    • Schedule Campus Tour
    • Office of Admissions
    • Student Employment
  • Academics
    • Academic Calendars
    • Academic Programs
    • Canvas
    • Center for Global Studies
    • Course Catalogs
    • The Middle College at Bennett
    • Entrepreneurial Studies
    • Faculty Directory
    • Holgate Library
    • Registration
    • Success and Retention
    • Transcript Request
    • Student Achievement
  • Students
    • Campus Safety
    • Canvas
    • Career Services
    • Counseling Services
    • Office of Accessibility Services
    • Religious Life
    • Residential Life
  • Alumnae
    • Alumnae News
    • May 2022
    • Alumnae Profiles
    • Give to Bennett College
  • Give
(336) 517-2100
Contact Us
Directory
BelleNet    Campus Map
Bennett College
  • About
    • About Bennett
    • Accreditations
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • History
    • Institutional Advancement
    • Office of the President
    • Parents’ Association
    • Steele Hall Gallery
    • Visiting Bennett
    • Women’s Business Center of Greensboro
  • Admissions
    • How to Apply
    • New Student Checklist
    • Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
    • FAFSA
    • F.A.Q.
    • Schedule Campus Tour
    • Office of Admissions
    • Student Employment
  • Academics
    • Academic Calendars
    • Academic Programs
    • Canvas
    • Center for Global Studies
    • Course Catalogs
    • The Middle College at Bennett
    • Entrepreneurial Studies
    • Faculty Directory
    • Holgate Library
    • Registration
    • Success and Retention
    • Transcript Request
    • Student Achievement
  • Students
    • Campus Safety
    • Canvas
    • Career Services
    • Counseling Services
    • Office of Accessibility Services
    • Religious Life
    • Residential Life
  • Alumnae
    • Alumnae News
    • May 2022
    • Alumnae Profiles
    • Give to Bennett College
  • Give

Student Freedom Initiative

Home Admissions Financial Aid Types of Financial Aid Student Freedom Initiative

About Student Freedom Initiative

The Student Freedom Initiative is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom in professional and life choices for students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), with an initial emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This innovative and student-centered program aims to free students from the crushing burden of unmanageable student loan debt, while also serving as a catalyst to help students attain the skills and confidence they will need after graduation to navigate their personal and professional pathways.

To date, Student Freedom Initiative has received generous contributions from Robert F. Smith, Fund 2 Foundation, Cisco, Jane Street, Prudential, and the Walmart Foundation. The program has also been acknowledged and supported by the Business Roundtable’s Racial Equity & Justice Subcommittee on Education. Their ability to provide support to MSI students is based on the continued financial support of these donors and others interested in supporting their mission.

The Student Freedom Initiative operates with four key components:

  • Income-contingent funding alternative for rising juniors and seniors in STEM majors via the Student Freedom Agreement – see next paragraph for more program details.
  • Student support resources, such as tutoring and mentoring
  • Internships
  • Targeted institutional capacity-building support

These components are essential to providing the support students need to develop into capable and well-rounded professional men and women.

Who is Eligible for the Student Freedom Agreement?

Student Freedom Agreement is a private education loan that is an income-contingent funding option that should be considered just one part of a student’s overall financial aid package. It is not intended to replace any state or institutional aid, or any federal grants, work-study, or Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. Instead, a Student Freedom Agreement is available to cover a student’s remaining cost of attendance after those other aid sources are considered, as a potential alternative to other private education loans and Parent PLUS loans.

To apply: Student Freedom Agreement

Bennett Belles studying the below majors are eligible to apply:

  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Computer Science

In addition, students must also:

  • Completed a FAFSA or acceptable alternative state aid application that is accepted and approved by Bennett College
  • A valid Social Security Number
  • Not an international student or foreign exchange student authorized to enter the United States on a non-immigrant visa
  • Junior or senior for the school year being funded, as defined by credit hours
  • Enrolled full-time for the coming academic term (exceptions can be made for students who do not need full-time enrollment to complete their degree)
  • Meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined by Bennett College

Please visit Student Freedom Initiative’s website for the Student Freedom Agreement FAQs.

What is the History of the Student Freedom Initiative?

The Student Freedom Initiative was conceived by Robert F. Smith while speaking at the commencement of Morehouse College in 2019, another HBCU. The graduating class received a gift and a challenge from Smith- Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Vista Equity Partners. The challenge? To develop a solution to the disproportionate effect of student debt on those attending HBCUs across the country. His vision was based on a “Pay It Forward” paradigm, where graduating students continue the giving spirit and provide support for future generations. This means that the money paid back into the program goes to help more students rather than become profit for investors.

With the help of Dr. David A. Thomas and presidents of multiple HBCUs, and in partnership with organizations and experts that shared the same vision, the students met the proposed challenge. The Student Freedom Initiative was born with the hope that those who need it most will receive the support necessary to complete their degree and develop a rounded and holistic experience in the process.

The partners that helped develop this program are:

  • Education Finance Institute
  • Fund II Foundation (InternX)
  • Jain Family Institute
  • MDRC
  • Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
  • UNCF
  • Vista Equity Partners

Smith pledged $50 million to the Student Freedom Initiative, following his initial gift to the 2019 class of Morehouse College. This contribution is intended to support 500 STEM juniors and seniors per year, every year, for the future of the program.

To learn more, visit www.StudentFreedomInitiative.org or find us on Twitter @StudentFreedom.

Access Menu

25About Bennett
Accreditations
Alma Mater
1Bennett College Parents’ Association
BPA News
Board of Trustees
By-Laws
9Committees of the Board of Trustees
Academic Affairs Committee
1Audit and Assessment Committee
Campus Buildings
Compensation Committee
Executive Committee
Finance Committee
Governance Committee
Institutional Advancement Committee
Investments Committee
Student Affairs Committee
Meeting Notices
Trustee Secure Site
College Policies
History
3Martin Dixon Intergenerational Center
General Information
Stepping Up Program
The Program
Strategic Plan
3Visiting Bennett
Map
Parking and Traffic
Schedule Campus Tour
18Administration
2Administrative Services
2Human Resources
Employee Handbook
Employment Opportunities
9Division of Business and Finance
7Controller’s Office
Accounts Payable
Business and Auxiliary Services
Cashier’s Office
Contracts and Grants Accounting/Purchasing
Default Loan Management
Payroll Services
1Student Accounts
Student Refunds
Dining Services
Facilities Management
2Information Technology
IT Helpdesk Support
Telecommunications Services
2Institutional Advancement
Communications
Meet the Staff
2Institutional Planning, Assessment, Effectiveness, and Research
Social Work Program Assessment Data
Student Achievement
1Office of the President
Annual Report
13Admissions
New Student Checklist
6Financial Aid
Aid Eligibility
Important Documents
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Scholarships
Student Consumer Information
Types of Financial Aid
Student Employment
F.A.Q.
FAFSA
Tuition and Fees
Schedule Campus Tour
Office of Admissions
21Academics
Academic Calendars
2Academic Programs
1Division of Professional Studies
Curriculum and Instruction Program
Division of Arts and Sciences
5Center for Global Studies
Her-Story Abroad
International Students
Resources
Study Abroad
Visa Information
Course Catalogs
4Division for Student Success and Retention
1Academic Advising
First Year Student Advising Process (Course Selection)
Emerging Scholars Program
Meet our Staff
Tutoring Services
The Middle College
Faculty Directory
Holgate Library
4Registration
FERPA Information
For Faculty and Staff
Registration Forms
Registration Policies
Transcript Request
24Student Experience
10Campus Services
6Campus Safety
Campus Safety Tips
Crime Log
Motor Vehicle Regulations
NC Sex Offender Registry
Safety and Crime Prevention Programs
Student Responsibilities
1Career Services
Career Services Ambassadors
Counseling Services
1Office of Accessibility Services
Title IX
Holgate Library
3Offices & Resources
Community Service
Mail Center
Student Handbook
8Religious Life
About Us
ACES At A Glance
ACES: Faith, Culture and Tradition
A Word In Season
Campus Ministries Highlights
Chaplain Greetings
Pillowcase Dress Project
Sew Simple! Haitian Dress Project
1Residential Life
Residence Hall Information
1Student Activities
ACES Calendar
Student Complaint Form
5Alumnae
Alumnae News
Alumnae Profiles
Benefits and Services
Giving
Publications

bc-logo-sticky-white

(336) 517-2100

Contact Us Online

900 E. Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401

About

  • About Bennett College
  • Office of the President
  • Board of Trustees
  • Accreditations
  • Visiting Bennett

Admissions

  • Admissions
  • F.A.Q.
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Consumer Information

Academics

  • Academic Programs
  • Registration
  • Academic Calendars
  • Course Catalogs
  • Transcript Request
  • Public Disclosure Statement

Student Life

  • Student Experience
  • Campus Services
  • Residential Life
  • Campus Safety

Portals

  • Belle Connect
  • BelleNet
  • Canvas
  • Webmail

Services

  • BelleAlert
  • Campus Facilities
  • Dining Services
  • IT Helpdesk Support

© 2022 Bennett College. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Statement / Terms of Use

Ready To Join the Sisterhood?

Join thousands of women who have changed the world!

Get Started Now