Second Cohort of Pathways Partners Reflects Growing National Momentum for High-Achieving, Low-Income Students.
CONTACT: Bryan Contreras (bcontreras@matriculate.org)
NEW YORK, August 21, 2026 –
Matriculate, a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding college access for high-achieving, low-income students, today announced seven new colleges as its second cohort of Pathways Partners: Elon University, Rhodes College, Santa Clara University, Sewanee: The University of the South, The College of Wooster, University of Vermont, and Wabash College. Beginning with the graduating Class of 2027, these institutions join the seven founding Pathways Partners, American University, Bucknell University, Gettysburg College, Miami University (Ohio), Susquehanna University, University of Denver, and Whitman College, in a growing network of colleges committed to making a transformative education accessible and affordable for Matriculate’s High School Fellows. Learn more about Matriculate’s New Pathways Partners
The Pathways Partners Program is one of Matriculate’s signature college partnership models, designed to connect high-achieving high school students (those with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and household incomes under $90,000) with colleges that demonstrate strong graduation rates, robust financial aid, and deep investment in student success. Each Pathways Partner commits to meeting the full demonstrated financial need for at least two Matriculate High School Fellows per year for all four years of enrollment, waiving application fees, and partnering with Matriculate to recruit undergraduate Advising Fellows on campus.
“This second cohort of Pathways Partners represents a powerful signal about where higher education is headed,” said Bryan Contreras, Matriculate’s Managing Director, Program Partnerships & Growth. “Each of these institutions has made a meaningful, concrete commitment to the students we serve, not just in words, but in dollars and dedicated action. Together, we are building a pathway to selective, high-graduation-rate colleges for students who have earned it.”
About Matriculate
Established in 2014, Matriculate has served over 20,000 high school students nationwide through its innovative near-peer advising model. Matriculate’s network of more than 4,700 undergraduate Advising Fellows provides free, personalized college advising to high-achieving, low-income students, helping them navigate the college admissions and financial aid process at no cost. Research shows that students participating in Matriculate’s advising programs are significantly more likely to attend high graduation rate colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.matriculate.org.
For more information about the Pathways Partners Program, contact Bryan Contreras at bcontreras@matriculate.org.