Executive Summary

The Education Awareness Fd. (EAF) has recognized a need for our services. According to the Memphis Regional Chamber and the Tennessee Department of Education 2002 report card the Memphis City School system had a high percent of expulsions, suspensions, and drop-outs. Also, the graduation rate and the percent of seniors college bound could use some improvement.

Operation Higher Education (OHE) is a program designed and set-up to motivate higher education. Each year the program will have senior students fill out a student profile questionnaire with the questionnaire the EAF will research and compile a comprehensive financial aid booklet pertaining to their major and ethnic background. The program will then counsel

seniors on financial aid options and assist in the application process. The program also has other services: retrieval of drop-out students (suspended and expulsions), media activities designed to involve and acquaint the community with higher education opportunities, entrepreneurship/career workshops, personal counseling, and academic advice. The EAF will also award 29 to 30 seniors with scholarships and work-study program one senior from each school depending on how many high schools the Memphis City School system has this year 2002-03 they had 29 high schools. Each senior awarded a scholarship will work for the Education Awareness Fd. In obtaining our goal. They will serve as peers to other students in assisting with the transition to postsecondary education along with the EAF. Last year, the Memphis City Schools had a total of 4,723 graduates 914 seniors did not graduate. We plan that the program will benefit 5,600 to 6,000 seniors. The EAF plans to partner with local businesses, public and postsecondary institutes in using their facilities until the EAF acquires its own facility.

Funding for the first year is estimated at $1,170,000

funding would be used for:

researching and preparation of comprehensive financial aid booklets, facility, van leases, salaries, independent

contractors, consultant fees, media activities designed to involve and acquaint the community with higher education

opportunities How we plan on generating funds:

special events designed to generate funds, donations from individuals/corporations, grants, (Sponsors) Dre’s Exotic Cars, Dre Ski

Communications, Dre’s Online Shopping Mall, Dre Ski Web Designs, and sponsorship from other businesses.