Partnership integrates college readiness and financial aid tools to expand access
Going Merry by Earnest, an innovative financial aid and scholarship platform, and ACT, a leader in college readiness and assessment, have announced a partnership that will simplify the path from college testing to college funding. The collaboration combines ACT’s test scores and readiness measures with Going Merry by Earnest’s full suite of financial aid and scholarship tools, enabling access to higher education for students and their families.
“At Earnest, we believe that giving students early access to the right tools can significantly shape their journey,” said Matt Palese, COO of Earnest. “This partnership with ACT combines the academic support students rely on with the financial guidance they often struggle to find.
By connecting the experience of taking the ACT with personalized financial aid resources, we’re removing barriers that too often stand in the way of higher education. Our goal is to help every student make confident, informed decisions about their future, and this collaboration is an important step toward making that a reality.”
Now, students who take the ACT can seamlessly transition from test preparation to financial aid discovery, joining the 360,000 students who used Going Merry by Earnest in 2024 to secure $8.8 million in scholarships. Through their ACT account, students can access Going Merry by Earnest’s award-winning resources, including:
- FAFSA Guidance: Accessible resources, such as FAQs and video tutorials, to help students confidently complete their applications.
- Scholarship Streamlining: Tools that auto-fill applications, provide estimated completion times, and offer a personalized list of vetted scholarship recommendations matched to students.
- Financial Planning Support:
- College Match Tool to compare college costs.
- Smart Planner to keep students organized.
- Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator to assist students in requesting additional funding.
“Students face a maze of complex questions about college opportunities, and unfortunately, the lack of easily accessible, trustworthy information can be a significant barrier to accessing higher education,” said Janet Godwin, CEO of ACT. “Through our partnership with Going Merry by Earnest, we will break down those barriers by giving them the financial tools and resources they need to make informed decisions. Higher education should not just remain a dream; it should be an affordable and attainable reality for all.”
Learn more about how ACT and Going Merry by Earnest are helping students on the path to college at www.goingmerry.com and www.act.org.
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