Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars | Next Level Scholars

Our mission is to empower and support students to achieve post-secondary success and our vision is to provide equitable opportunities for students to earn a post-secondary credential, reach their goals, and strengthen our communities. 

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) has been helping local students prepare for life after high school for 35 years.

In 1990, four community members came together with a common mission to help local students at Willow Run High School see what was possible after they walked across the stage as high school graduates. By taking trips to campuses like the University of Detroit Mercy, these few members began to make a difference and inspire students to dream bigger for their futures. As time went on, students were excited to head to post-secondary education, but weren’t sure how to navigate the cost.

In 1995 the organization joined forces with the nation’s largest scholarship provider, Scholarship America, becoming Willow Run/Ypsilanti Dollars for Scholars. This partnership granted the organization a 501(c)3 status and allowed them to begin raising funds and giving out scholarships to the students they worked with.

In 2012, those same committed neighbors realized that they wanted to make a larger impact throughout the Southeast Michigan region, and created a plan to expand, renaming themselves Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars.

With so many schools participating, the academic support program was able to grow and take shape. Starting in 10th grade, students participated in a full schedule of trips and activities in order to learn exactly what it would take to prepare for post-secondary education. In 11th and 12th grade, students’ dreams of college became real as they toured campuses, talked with admissions staff, learned about majors, and received acceptance letters.

In order to better complement the DRDFS scholarship program, the academic support program earned its own name in 2019, and is now known as the Next Level Scholars™ program. With this program at the forefront, our Detroit chapter of Dollars for Scholars became the first chapter nationally to be awarded the Scholarship America Honors Award. DRDFS was proud to receive this great award next to the scholarship programs of Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola.

Today, we serve over 450 students in Southeast Michigan annually. We partner with 16 schools across Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. DRDFS has awarded scholarships exceeding $3 million to more than 1,700 students since 1990, and our alumni network grows each year.

DRDFS is proud of the students and supporters who have helped us get to where we are today. After 35 years, we have accomplished a lot, but still have work to do. We are looking forward to many more years of partnering with those who share our passion of helping local students succeed.

From 10th grade through high school graduation, students participate in programming that includes tailored campus visits, post-secondary application assistance, etiquette and networking workshops, FAFSA completion, leadership development, and SAT preparation.

The objective of the Next Level Scholars®  program is simple; to inspire and prepare students to succeed in life after high school. The three-tiered, holistic approach provides targeted resources, experiences and support for students at key intervals throughout high school as they navigate their path to post-secondary education.

Inspire

Before students can begin preparing for life after high school, they need to envision themselves belonging on a post-secondary campus. Through campus visits and events, Next Level Scholars® allows students see the opportunities available to them and become excited to continue on to their next level of education. Once the light bulb is turned on and students are able to see the options available to them, they participate in programming to learn about financial aid, leadership skills, and admissions requirements.

Prepare

Breaking down the academic, social-emotional, and financial barriers to post-secondary success is essential. To help break down academic barriers, Next Level Scholars™ students participate in SAT preparation, which targets key strategies and knowledge gaps. Students begin to develop social-emotional skills while engaging in leadership development, etiquette, and networking training. These soft skills are essential in high school, post-secondary education, and beyond. Finally, while the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars scholarship breaks down part of the financial barrier, students are also empowered to make informed decisions through Next Level Scholars® financial literacy training, FAFSA workshops, and learning about other state and federal aid opportunities.

Succeed

Students experience and exhibit a mindset shift as they progress through the Next Level Scholars® program. This shift is characterized by a surge in confidence by the end of 12th grade, knowing they have the tools and resources they need to succeed. By building relationships with business leaders and community members, students put their networking and leadership preparation into practice. Upon graduating from high school, students are equipped for success and continue to receive support and resources as members of the program through degree completion