About Us
Education is Freedom (EIF) is a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of students and their families through education. We provide comprehensive college planning and career readiness services to students in middle school, high school, and beyond.
MISSION
Education is Freedom transforms lives through education.
History
Education is Freedom began life as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 by a dynamic board of corporate leaders who envisioned a world where every young person could pursue a college education. As business leaders, government officials, and entrepreneurs, EIF’s board was committed to creating an educated workforce empowered to build effective companies and strong communities in today’s knowledge-based economy.
To accomplish this, EIF first offered renewable scholarships to first-time college students. This program quickly revealed that financial support alone was insufficient to ensure college success, especially for students with other profound social or economic barriers.
In 2003, EIF launched a comprehensive local school-based program designed to improve the college-going orientation in the Dallas Independent School District. Since then, EIF has helped over 100,000 students and their families in many school districts complete the college process.
Today, EIF has four main programs to achieve its mission of transforming lives through education. Those programs include College & Career Advising, Middle School Advising, EIF Scholars, and Community Connection.
Who We Are
At Education is Freedom, our mission is driven by the schools we serve, the dedicated leaders and staff who guide our efforts, and our commitment to transparency, ensuring every resource is maximized to support student success.
- Current Schools: Supporting students in diverse schools across the region with tailored programs that inspire academic and personal growth. See the schools we serve >
- Board of Directors: Guided by a passionate group of leaders committed to advancing our mission and advocating for educational equity. Meet our leadership team >
- Our Staff: A dedicated team of mentors, educators, and professionals working tirelessly to create opportunities for students. Get to know our staff >
- Financial Transparency: We believe in accountability, showcasing how donor contributions and funding are maximized to support student success. View financial reports >
- Join Our Team: Be part of a passionate team making a difference in students’ lives. Explore career opportunities and help us transform education for future generations. Explore careers >
Frequently Asked Questions
EIF supports middle and high school students and their families in traditionally underserved schools.
EIF provides expert advising on college, career, and life readiness. For high school, this includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), college applications, financial aid, SAT/ACT support, and workforce training programs. For middle school, this includes endorsement selection, high school transition guidance, and college exploration.
EIF places a trained Higher Education Advisor in each of the schools it serves to provide expert knowledge to all students. These advisors have their own EIF classroom for students to visit and receive assistance on everything related to college, career, and life readiness.
Higher Education Advisors also hold evening workshops to educate families on FAFSA/TASFA and other post-secondary topics to ensure their students have what they need to continue their educations.
All Higher Education Advisors at EIF have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and go through training both before and during each school year to ensure they have the latest expertise on everything needed to get students into college or workforce training programs.
Higher Education Advisors not only serve as content experts for their students but also as role models and mentors. They mirror the campus’s student demographics and understand the unique attributes and challenges of their student population.
If your student attends a school that has hired EIF as its college access program vendor, they can visit the EIF room on campus any time before, during, or after school to meet with the Higher Education Advisor.
Originally founded as a scholarship program, EIF soon became a comprehensive college and career readiness provider after founders saw that financial support alone was not enough to ensure college success for students. Today, EIF provides privately funded scholarships to top students who are members of EIF Scholars, a leadership and development program for high-performing seniors. These scholarships are given out each spring at EIF’s annual fundraising event and scholarship program, Evening With the Stars.
EIF’s Higher Education Advisors understand that there are significant career opportunities in certain industries for students without a four-year college degree. Higher Education Advisors receive training and information on industries with a high demand for skilled workers, and they can provide students with guidance on workforce training programs that will help students gain the skills needed to enter into lucrative careers.
EIF gets its resources through a combination of Title I funds, private foundations, and corporate/individual donations.