Our Programs
High School Student Advising
For many students, the path from high school to a career that pays a family-sustaining wage is not clearly marked. It takes more than ambition to navigate college applications, financial aid, and credentialing options. It takes a knowledgeable, caring guide who shows up every day.
That’s exactly who EIF Advisors are. Professionally trained and full-time on partner campuses, EIF Advisors build genuine relationships with students and provide expert, individualized guidance from 9th grade through graduation. They know their students by name, understand their goals, and have the tools and expertise to help them succeed, wherever their path leads.
All EIF Advisors are certified by the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and the Institute for Career Advising & Development (ICAD), meeting the highest standards of professional advising practice.
THE EIF ADVISING MODEL
How It Works
Education is Freedom places advisors full-time on every partner campus we serve. With dedicated office space on campus, EIF Advisors are accessible before, during, and after school. Students can drop in, schedule one-on-one meetings, or connect with their advisor through workshops, classroom presentations, and college and career events held throughout the year.
PERSONALIZED STUDENT SUPPORT
EIF Advisors maintain an average 200:1 caseload for juniors and seniors, ensuring meaningful, individualized attention at the most critical juncture of students’ high school journeys. In Dallas ISD, advisors also provide classroom presentations and group advising sessions for sophomores to help students align their high school classes and activities with their college and career interests.
YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT
EIF Advisors work on a 12-month schedule, providing continuity of support through the summer months, when students are most at risk of “summer melt,” a phenomenon of graduated seniors abandoning their college or career credentialing plans before ever setting foot on a campus. After the school year’s last bell, from May through August, EIF’s Summer Launch Strategy ensures that every graduating senior can receive direct support from an EIF Advisor during their transition to their postsecondary destination.
WHAT EIF ADVISORS HELP STUDENTS WITH
Personalized Guidance for Every Student
EIF Advisors meet students where they are and guide them toward the postsecondary path that fits their individual strengths, interests, and family goals. Advising is available for students pursuing college, workforce training, or a combination of both.
COLLEGE ADVISING
- FAFSA and TASFA completion and financial aid navigation
- Scholarship identification and application support
- College search, application, and enrollment support
- TSI assessment readiness and dual credit enrollment
- College decision-making, including understanding financial aid award letters
- Summer bridge program connections to reduce summer melt
Workforce Advising
EIF recognizes that a four-year college degree is not the only pathway to a career that pays a family-sustaining wage. For students whose goals, strengths, or family circumstances point toward a direct-to-workforce path, EIF Advisors provide structured workforce advising aligned to careers in priority sectors of the Dallas County economy.
- Career exploration and labor market information
- Career credential and certification program guidance
- Apprenticeship and workforce training enrollment support
- Resume development and job readiness coaching
- Connections to employer and workforce partners
KEY MILESTONES EIF TRACKS
Measuring What Matters
Education is Freedom tracks student progress toward five key milestones that research has shown are connected to postsecondary success. These milestones are monitored at the individual, campus, district, and organization-wide level, allowing advisors to intervene early and ensure no student falls through the cracks.
- College Readiness: Texas Success Initiative (TSI) “Met by Assessment” status, indicating a student is ready for college-level coursework
- FAFSA/TASFA Completion: Submission of the federal or state financial aid application, unlocking access to grants, loans, and work-study
- College Application Submission: Completion of one or more college applications
- College Enrollment: Confirmed enrollment in a two- or four-year college or university
- Industry-Based Certifications: For students pursuing a direct-to-workforce path, completion of career training and certification
Our Results
2025-26 Impact by the Numbers
15,867
Class of 2026 seniors served across partner districts
99%
of seniors in EIF-advised high schools completed the Dallas County Promise Path Form
97.5%
of the Class of 2026 completed one or more college applications
$294.1M
in scholarships and institutional grants earned by the Class of 2026
93.2%
FAFSA completion rate for the Class of 2026
6,240
final college enrollment for the Class of 2025 (out of 11,650 served)
Source: Education is Freedom 2025–26 school year data.
DUAL CREDIT INITIATIVE
Expanding Access to Dual Credit
Through a grant-funded partnership with The Commit Partnership, Education is Freedom is working to advance postsecondary pathways in Texas by increasing dual credit enrollment and college credit attainment among high school students. As part of this initiative, EIF has placed advisors in 5 schools across 5 districts, each serving 100 ninth grade students and 100 tenth grade students, for a total of 500 ninth graders and 500 tenth graders receiving targeted advising focused on dual credit access and college readiness. This work is part of a broader regional strategy that integrates advising, data, and student voice to engage partners and expand opportunity across Dallas County.
EIF SCHOLARS
Recognizing Excellence: EIF Scholars
EIF Scholars is Education is Freedom’s flagship recognition and scholarship program for high-achieving seniors who demonstrate leadership, persistence, and drive. Scholars receive monthly mentorship, support with establishing and pursuing stretch goals, and college and career networking opportunities. Students who complete the program earn flexible scholarships to help cover college-going costs not always covered by financial aid such as transportation, technology, and books.
In April 2026, EIF recognized 192 EIF Scholars, a record high, and awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships at the 11th Annual An Evening with the Stars scholarship reception.
PARTNER VOICES
What Our Partners Say
Collaboration is the key to success. EIF’s partnership is the bridge our students need to a bright future. Their white glove service addresses the uniqueness of each student and sets them up for success, a true difference maker
— Dr. Ricardo López, Superintendent, Garland ISD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions
How does EIF reach students and their families?
EIF Advisors are available full-time on partner high school campuses. Students can visit the EIF advising office (often called the GO Center or the College & Career Connection Center) during school without an appointment. Advisors also conduct classroom presentations and group workshops, and EIF hosts evening and weekend family events focused on financial aid, college applications, and career planning. Families can also connect with their student’s advisor by phone or email.
Is there a cost to students or families?
EIF’s advising services are completely free to students and families. EIF is funded through school district contracts, foundation grants, and other private philanthropy.
What is the difference between EIF and a school counselor?
School counselors play a vital role and manage a wide range of student needs, from academic scheduling to social-emotional support. EIF Advisors specialize exclusively in college and career advising, allowing them to go deeper on postsecondary planning, financial aid, and career pathways than a school counselor’s broader caseload typically allows. EIF Advisors work closely alongside school counselors as partners, not replacements.
Can EIF help students who are not sure whether they want to go to college?
Absolutely. EIF Advisors support students pursuing all postsecondary pathways, including four-year colleges, two-year colleges, career and technical certifications, apprenticeships, and workforce training programs. Our overarching goal is to help every student find the path that fits their strengths, interests, and family goals, and to make sure they have what they need to pursue it successfully.
CONTACT & CONNECT
Get Connected
If your school is an EIF partner campus, visit the EIF advising office on campus to meet your advisor. If you’re a district or school leader interested in partnering with EIF, we’d love to connect.