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Big Dreams, Will Travel Grant Enables Students to Explore Harvard, Yale and More

Nine young women just returned from a journey that brought them to some of the most elite colleges in the United States as part of a new, innovative program called Big Dreams, Will Travel.

During the week of Oct. 2, students from Fort Worth’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) visited the East Coast to tour Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Barnard College and Wellesley College.

Touring a campus is an important step in students’ college search process. It can help them dive into campus life and get a firsthand feel for the environment that can’t always be replicated online or at a college fair. But campus visits, especially at faraway schools, can be difficult to pursue. The challenges presented by expenses, logistics and required time away are sometimes too much for families to overcome.

That’s why GM Financial worked with YWLA to provide the grant that funds Big Dreams, Will Travel. The company covered the cost of airfare, lodging, ground transportation and meals for the entire four-day, three-night trip.

“Finding the time and money to visit out of state campuses can put meaningful experiences out of reach for students and families with limited access and resources,” said Lynn Hammer, Executive Director for the YWLA Foundation.

“The support we received from GM Financial empowered some incredible young women to appreciate that there’s a place for them at these storied institutions. Big Dreams unlocked a sense of freedom and possibility that may not have otherwise been realized,” Lynn said.

The inaugural grant was created specifically for YWLA in recognition of the school’s strong record of producing a diverse alumnae network of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) professionals with ambition and leadership potential.

To be considered for the trip, students were asked to provide a résumé, write a brief essay and complete a set of KEYS® by GM Financial education modules. They were also required to have and maintain a 4.0 grade point average and possess and demonstrate some of GM Financial’s core values: Teamwork, Excellence and Integrity.

Big Dreams, Will Travel is the latest engagement between GM Financial and YWLA — a relationship that began in 2018 when the company started providing content from its KEYS® financial wellness program. Since then, the company has hosted YWLA students for college fairs, mentorship programs, development trainings and other opportunities for growth and learning. GM Financial has also been a key sponsor for YWLA’s annual Senior Signing Day.

Watch this segment from NBC News to hear more about the program.

By Jake Stevens, GM Financial

Jake Stevens uses his writing skills to help others make sense of complex topics. His second greatest passion, after auto finance, is cheering on the Crimson Tide.