Investing in the Future Workforce:
Degree Completion Support for Future Innovators
For college students out of options—and donors who want their dollars to have lasting impact—Last Mile is the smarter, faster way to fund degree completion in high-demand STEM fields
We stand in the gap where traditional aid systems fall short
Across the country, talented, driven STEM students are making it through years of college, only to drop out within reach of a degree—not for lack of ability, but for lack of funds and basic needs security. That's where Last Mile steps up—with fast, targeted funding that ensures perseverance and grit is rewarded.
Last Mile closes critical gaps in funding and career support for financially vulnerable college students in the “last mile” to graduation in high-demand STEM fields, addressing both economic mobility and the talent crises in tech and tech-enabled industries.
Last Mile knows success isn't about perfection...it's about perseverance.
Our Vision
Every student striving towards a high-demand STEM field achieves their potential
A Model That Reflects Today’s Students.
And Tomorrow’s Economy
The typical college student today is not typical at all.
They’re often working full-time. Many are parents. Many are first-generation. They’re older, more diverse, and managing complex lives.
But our financial aid systems haven’t caught up.
Last Mile is a solution for students who need support right now—and a signal to the broader ecosystem that it’s time to disrupt how we invest in talent.
Last Mile Has A Better -- And Proven -- Approach
Abundant & Expansive
No GPA minimum. No competition. Just timely support when students need it most to overcome financial barriers.
Responsible & Flexible
We meet students where they are: working, parenting, pushing through challenges to complete their education toward high-demand degrees.
Proven & Impactful
Over 11,000 students served. <$3,000 average investment. 74% graduation rate. 246x social ROI.
A total game-changer.
Converting thousands of students into graduates and building the innovation workforce of tomorrow
11K+
STUDENTS SERVED
<3K
AVERAGE INVESTMENT
$14M+
DOLLARS AWARDED
74%
GRADUATION RATE
246x
SOCIAL ROI
Last Mile closes the gap between college and career: fast, flexible funding that removes real-life barriers in the final stretch, so students finish degrees and step directly into high-demand tech and engineering roles. See how persistence, timely support, and employer-aligned pathways turn classrooms into careers.
Students
You’re almost there. We’re with you.
You’ve put in the work. You’ve navigated long nights, tight budgets, complex schedules, and high expectations. You’re close to the end—but rising costs, life emergencies, or unmet basic needs could stop you in your tracks.
If you’re a college student in a high demand tech or engineering field, almost to graduation, and facing an unexpected financial crisis, Last Mile is the safety net you need, providing non-repayable funding that keeps you enrolled and on track to launch your career.
Donors
High Impact. Immediate Results. Generational Return.
Last Mile is a high-efficiency investment in students who are already on the verge of completing their degrees in fields that drive innovation and economic growth.
Our model is data-informed, scalable, and designed to serve students traditionally excluded from philanthropic pipelines. We fund overlooked students at overlooked moments—with proven life-changing outcomes.
Looking for immediate impact and proven results? Learn more about how Last Mile is unlocking the largest untapped pool of technical talent in the US.
Faculty & Institutions
When You Don’t Know Where To Turn, Turn To Us.
You know your students. You see their promise and their struggles. You see them showing up, pushing through, doing everything they can—and still falling short financially. You’ve stretched emergency funds, loaned textbooks, and referred them to campus resources. And sometimes, despite your best efforts, you don’t have the resources to keep them enrolled.That’s where we come in.
We respond quickly and work to keep students on the path to graduation. Turn to us when students need urgent help to stay enrolled and traditional financial aid systems fail.
We know that lasting change takes collective effort. Last Mile is part of a growing movement to rethink how higher education supports students. We sit at the intersection of education, workforce development, and economic mobility. We welcome partnerships with nonprofits, workforce boards, community-based organizations, funders, researchers, policymakers, and all who want to amplify student success and dismantle systemic barriers.
Our goal is systemic transformation of higher education funding and support systems in critical tech and innovation fields.
Ecosystem Allies
Building The Bridge Between Education And Opportunity
You need skilled, resilient, career-ready tech and engineering talent. We’re already investing in them. By partnering with Last Mile, you can invest directly in your future workforce and hire graduates who are persistent, capable, and prepared.
Let’s connect students to careers – and talent to opportunity.
Access workforce-ready STEM graduates and build direct talent pipelines for your organization.
Employers
This Is Workforce Development That Works
Proof This Works
As a student away from home, the pandemic almost left my sister and I homeless and without support. Last Mile aid helped my sister and I afford basic living expenses during the pandemic. Because I could check off our basic needs, I had the mental space to focus on my studies. I was able to end the semesters with a 4.0 GPA which contributed to graduating Summa Cum Laude and with Distinction. Last Mile is committed to doing that and supporting our dreams and aspirations.
Christabel A.,
Philander Smith University, Class of 2022
Due to health issues, I quit my job that helped pay for school. My family helped briefly, but after my dad's stroke and unexpected medical expenses, they couldn’t support my final year. I was unsure how I’d afford tuition and rent for the next 5 months. At a tech career fair, I ran into Last Mile. I had just quit my job to focus on my health and stay in school, giving up my scholarship. Without Last Mile, I would have had to take a semester off to save and then re-enroll. Today Rebekah is finishing her degree and graduating in May 2025.
Rebekah W.
University of Maryland, Class of 2025
I was an undergraduate student facing significant financial and emotional hardships due to the loss of my father to cancer, as well as the passing of family members and others within our Navajo Nation community to COVID-19. This support not only enabled me to complete my undergraduate degree but also motivated me to pursue graduate studies and a career in technology.
Felicie T.,
Navajo Technical University, Class of 2023
I previously had support from my parents but after they divorced every expense was left up to me. I was working part time as a scrum master intern but I did not have enough funds to cover my bills and college expenses. I remember receiving the email that I had received funding. At the time where I felt alone, I immediately felt supported and encouraged to finish my degree.
Jana J.
University of Houston, Class of 2020
I found Last Mile during my last semester at community college. When I applied, I was working two jobs to make university a reality. I felt a lot of uncertainty and worry about affording this next step in my education. Getting support allowed me to feel more confident about my decision to attend university. It enabled me to make decisions based on purpose rather than fear.
Rachel M.
University of Maryland, Class of 2022
For most of my college journey, I was stuck in a cycle—working multiple jobs just to keep up with tuition, constantly stressed about whether I could even afford to finish. Then I found Last Mile. My initial reaction was that this has to be a unreal. Free funding to help me graduate? It felt too good to be true. But taking that leap changed everything. Last Mile lifted the weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on my education instead of just surviving. Looking back, I wish I had known about it sooner—but instead of dwelling on that, I now use my experience to spread the word. Through NSBE and ColorStack, I want every student facing the same struggles to know that help is out there. Last Mile is here for students, and it’s life-changing.
Beteab T.
St. Cloud University, Class of 2025
The funding I received from Last Mile gave me the freedom to focus on my studies, research, and community-led grant projects. Without Last Mile’s support, there’s no way I would have been able to accomplish so much. I make sure to tell everyone I can about Last Mile, encouraging them to apply. The challenges in my field are tough enough, and I explain how Last Mile can ease the pressure of both school and personal life. With their support, students can focus more on their education and make the most of their academic journey.
Stephanie M.
University of Houston-Downtown, Class of 2026
Last Mile Education Fund significantly improved my motivation and persistence in attaining my bachelor's degree by providing financial relief, positive mental wellness, and encouragement.
Because of Last Mile, I am able to fulfill my academic achievements and personal goals. I've recently heard back from the University of New Mexico and I've been accepted into the Department of Computer Engineering program! I will be attending UNM to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in the Internet of Things. Last Mile gave me the motivation and courage to complete my undergraduate degree which is an opportunity that I'm forever grateful for.
Tamara F.
Northern New Mexico College, Class of 2024
"Free, no strings attached financial support for college students?" I thought, "certainly too good to be true!" I left it at that for a while, as I had never imagined an organization like Last Mile could ever exist. However, during the beginning of my junior year, I found myself facing my own financial challenge, where a broken laptop posed an obstacle for my continuing education. Without a laptop, I wouldn't be able to apply and interview for summer internships, which are one of the most critical ways students can be set up for early-career success. Desperate, I turned to Last Mile, who stepped in to cover the costs of my laptop, ensuring I could continue to reach and fight for opportunities that would have otherwise been closed to me.
In December, I graduated from both my Bachelor's and Master's in Computer Science at Stanford, focusing on the study of Artificial Intelligence, and started my first full time job at Uber as a Software Engineer! I can't wait to see all the accomplishments from Last Mile students like me in the future, and I look forward to giving back to the Last Mile community.
Flora H.
Stanford University, Class of 2024
This support came at a crucial juncture in my educational journey. Being solely responsible for financing my college education, the Last Mile funding lifted a significant financial burden and provided me with invaluable resources.
Justin V.
Central Connecticut State University Class of 2022
Know a striving student we could support?
If you're a faculty member, advisor, or friend who knows a STEM student facing financial barriers to graduation, let us know.
Take Action
We make smart, urgent, catalytic investments. Whether you’re a student who needs support, a donor looking for impact, or a partner ready to change the system—there’s a place for you at Last Mile.