The estimated 1.1 million undocumented students in the U.S. aren’t eligible for federally funded tuition aid, a fact that didn’t sit well with Ric Elias.
So in 2012, the CEO of Fort Mill-based Red Ventures Internet marketing firm started Golden Door Scholars, a nonprofit that gives scholarship money to undocumented students. He invested $1 million assuming it’d last for a few years.
Every cent – and an additional $300,000 he raised from private donors – was given away that year after 500 students applied.
This year’s application process ends Nov. 1. Find out more information, including how to apply and donate, here.
- Alix Clinkingbeard (flickr Creative Commons)
This article appears in Oct 23-29, 2013.
