We are thrilled to announce that our founder and CEO, Alexandra (Alex) Bernadotte, was recently named a Financial Freedom Rule Breaker by the Motley Fool Foundation. The Motley Fool Foundation seeks to find, fund, and amplify solutions that create pathways for financial freedom for those living paycheck to paycheck.

Data on economic mobility repeatedly confirm that increasing college graduation rates is one of the most effective ways to lift young people out of intergenerational poverty. However, the average cost of college has more than doubled in the 21st century, with an annual growth rate of 7.1%. Today, the average cost of attendance for a student living on campus at a public 4-year in-state institution is approximately $25,000 per year, $100,000 over four years. College is becoming much more about who can afford to attend.

As the cost of a college education continues to soar, Beyond 12 ensures that our students have the support they need to earn a high-quality degree without the crippling debt that limits their life choices.

A college degree is more than a diploma. For students, it’s a future realized. For institutions, it’s a mission fulfilled. For our communities, it’s a pathway toward a more just and equitable world.

Alex joined David Gardner, co-founder of the Motley Fool and Chairman of the Motley Fool Foundation, and Michael Zakaras, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Ashoka, for the 5th episode of Motley Fool’s “Spark Conversation” series. Alex discussed how a child’s zip code, race, and parent’s level of education can predict their educational and economic outcomes and offered solutions to address this challenge.

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We are excited to partner with the Motley Fool Foundation to create an inclusive financial system in which everyone benefits, the foundation of which we believe is a higher education system that is more accessible, affordable, inclusive, and relevant.