EmpowerU is an app that provides students with access to resources such as scholarships, internships, and summer programs that can help them attend college and become career-ready. We foster supportive communities and facilitate connections between students. Through our app, students can connect with their peers and share stories about the resources they have been able to take advantage of, in hopes of inspiring others to do the same.

Our database contains over $2 million in scholarships, internships, and summer programs. Ultimately, EmpowerU aims to empower students to pursue their academic goals without financial burdens.

As a first-generation, low-income student, I have experienced education disparities. My high school had only one college counselor for over 500 students. The majority of my fellow peers did not know if college was a feasible option for them, how to apply to college, and above all, whether or not they would be able to afford it. Growing up, I did not know anyone who had gone to college. In high school, I met a fellow low-income, first-generation Latina attending Stanford on a full-ride scholarship. She inspired me, gave me the courage to dream big, and enabled me to see the possibilities that were out there for students like me. There are millions of students who share my story, and I believe that students should not have to rely on luck to access higher education. All students deserve the opportunity to attend college and afford it!

EmpowerU aims to democratize these resources by establishing a supportive community where students can share their experiences, inspiring others to seize similar opportunities. Over one-third of college students are first-generation, and more than 50 percent of children attending U.S. public schools come from low-income families. With the issue intensifying, we are committed to contributing to the solution, recognizing that higher education is a pivotal factor in enhancing social mobility within our nation.