Sade Dike is changing the landscape of college affordability for thousands of high school students across the country by providing “The Rubric.”
She knows from experience. She amassed over $250,000 in scholarships.
We’ve observed similar success stories that have gone viral in recent years: Deonte Bridges, the valedictorian from Booker T. Washington High School here in Atlanta, earning over $1 million in scholarships; Ariana Alexander in Chicago earning over $3 million dollars and gaining acceptance into 26 universities; Desmond Cain from Urban Prep Academy Bronzeville earning $1.3 million in scholarships.
There is money out there, but the million dollar question (pun intended) is “How do I gain access to that money for MY post-secondary education?”
Sade describes The Rubric as a “modern day educational toolkit” that provides support in navigating the transition from high school to college to career. She is currently engaging students from Florida to Atlanta to Washington D.C. to Chicago in workshops, and sharing her strategies for keeping a high GPA, seizing key opportunities, and maximizing strengths– all of which earned her fellowships throughout college, and ultimately a lucractive career.
College costs are rising.
In Georgia, specifically, students can expect to see a 2 percent increase in tuition. Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia currently have in-state tuition rates of over $10,000 per year (over $30,000 for out-of-state residents), while Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta University have tuition costs upward of $20,000 per year– whether or not a student is a Georgia resident.
College affordability is one of the most crucial factors when considering whether or not someone decides to attend an institution of higher learning. Families begin preparing for the costs of a college education before a child is even born.
And the Department of Education’s recent proposed budget cuts for programs like work-study, Pell Grants, and Public Loan Service Forgiveness, isn’t helping.
High schoolers need help navigating the complexities of college acceptance, securing the funds that lead to affordability, and then thriving once they get on campus. Leaders like Sade Dike are providing the blueprint.
