Kaplan Educational Foundation Scholars Gain Admission to Elite Universities, Highlighting Program's Success in Bridging Educational Gaps

The Kaplan Educational Foundation celebrates the college decisions of its 18th cohort of scholars in the Kaplan Leadership Program, with students gaining admission to prestigious institutions including Columbia University, Yale University, and Princeton University. This achievement underscores the program's significant impact in helping high-potential, low-income community college students transfer to and succeed at highly selective four-year institutions.

Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program provides comprehensive support including extensive tutoring, academic advisement, leadership training, and living stipends. The program's holistic approach has produced remarkable results: 92% of Kaplan Leadership Scholars earn bachelor's degrees. This success rate stands in stark contrast to national data from the Aspen Institute showing that only 16% of community college students overall earn bachelor's degrees, with even lower rates for students from low-income backgrounds.

The 2025 scholars represent diverse backgrounds and community colleges across New York and New Jersey. Their acceptances to more than 25 top schools nationwide demonstrate the program's effectiveness in identifying and nurturing talent from underserved communities. The foundation's work addresses critical educational equity issues by providing resources that help students overcome financial, academic, and social barriers to higher education.

Executive Director Nolvia Delgado emphasizes that this year's cohort continues to represent the high-potential talent existing in U.S. community colleges, including non-traditional age students, recent immigrants, and first-generation college students. The foundation's commitment to removing barriers and providing greater access to higher education for motivated individuals has proven successful through two decades of operation.

Recently, the foundation expanded its mission through a three-year grant from the Ichigo Foundation, funding a new Community College Bridge Program that extends support to high school students from underserved communities. This initiative, detailed at http://www.kaplanedfoundation.org, aims to prepare teens earlier for their community college experience, positioning them for successful transfer to and graduation from four-year institutions. The expansion represents a strategic approach to addressing educational disparities at multiple levels within the educational pipeline.