In this issue, we highlight a supporter whose generosity reflects the power of legacy in action, share the story of a student whose path has been shaped by mentorship and support, and preview a new way for our community to come together this summer through Friends of SFI.
As students cross the stage this spring, they are do so supported by families, mentors, institutions, and donors who believed in their potential. Graduation is both a culmination and a beginning—a reminder that each success story creates the possibility for someone to reach back and help the next generation rise.
When financial challenges threatened Alyssa Runderson’s education, the Student Freedom Loan provided the support she needed to stay in school and pursue her dream of becoming a cardiovascular sonographer. Her success is a testament to what’s possible when students are given the opportunity to thrive. With your support, we can help even more students turn their aspirations into reality.
SFI: Can you share what you’ve studied while at Texas Southern University and what your plans are now that you’ve graduated?
Alyssa: My degree is in Human and Health Sciences, and my plan is to attend sonography school afterward. I want to become a cardiovascular sonographer because I’m passionate about healthcare and helping patients, and I find the cardiovascular field
especially interesting.
SFI: We understand that every student’s educational journey is different. What challenges did you encounter when it came to financing your education, and how did those challenges impact your academic goals?
Alyssa: One of the biggest challenges I faced in financing my education was that my dad was unable to qualify for a Parent PLUS loan or a personal loan to help cover my school expenses. Because of this, I was at risk of being dropped from my classes, and eventually I was dropped due to the outstanding balance. This setback impacted my academic progress by putting me behind in my coursework and delaying my educational goals. It was a stressful experience, but it also motivated me to continue pursuing my education and find ways to overcome financial obstacles so I can achieve my goal of becoming a cardiovascular sonographer.
SFI: Can you take us back to when you first learned about Student Freedom Initiative (SFI)? What was happening in your educational journey at that time, and what ultimately motivated you to apply for the Student Freedom Loan?
Alyssa: I first learned about Student Freedom Initiative through an email sent by my school. At that point in my educational journey, I had been dropped from my classes because I was unable to keep up with the required payments after my family was unable to secure additional loan funding. I was worried about how I would continue my education and stay on track toward my career goals.When I received information about Student Freedom Initiative, it felt like an opportunity to get back on track.
SFI: As you navigated funding your education, what aspects of the Student Freedom Loan stood out most to you? Can you share how features like the lower interest rate, repayment grace period, or no co-signer requirement helped you overcome challenges or move closer to your goals?
Alyssa: What stood out most to me about the Student Freedom Loan was that it did not require a co-signer, which was important because I did not have someone available to co-sign for me. The quick approval process and fast payout directly to my school helped me resolve my balance and continue pursuing my education without further delays.
SFI: In what ways has your experience with SFI shaped your path as a student and influenced your goals after graduation? We’d love to hear how it has affected your confidence, financial well-being, and future aspirations.
Alyssa: My experience with SFI has helped me continue and complete my education, bringing me one step closer to my dream career as a cardiovascular sonographer. It has given me confidence that I can overcome financial obstacles and has helped me stay focused on building a stable future and achieving financial freedom.
Note: This student participated in our program prior to recent updates to our eligibility criteria. That’s why some of the majors highlighted in these stories may not align with the fields we currently support. To learn more about our current criteria, application process, and FAQs please click here: Student Freedom Loan Application and FAQ.
Throughout her career, Jesse Raney Bridges has helped organizations tackle some of society’s most complex challenges. As a strategist, systems architect, and advisor, her work has focused on building cultures of trust, expanding opportunity, and designing solutions that create lasting impact—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. That perspective is one reason the Student Freedom Initiative’s mission resonated with her. Having spent years helping organizations think beyond short-term outcomes and toward sustainable change, Jesse saw in SFI a model that addresses immediate student needs while also strengthening the systems that support long-term economic mobility.
SFI: What initially drew you to Student Freedom Initiative?
Jesse: “I was drawn to the Student Freedom Initiative because of its focus on sustainable impact. Many programs address an immediate need, which is important, but SFI’s approach goes further. The organization not only supports students in the moment, but creates pathways for future opportunity through its pay-it-forward structure and investment in strengthening institutions. That combination of individual support and systems-level impact immediately stood out to me.”
SFI: What was it about SFI’s mission that resonated most strongly with you?
Jesse: “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about expanding access and opportunity for communities that have historically faced barriers to success. What resonates with me about SFI is its commitment to helping students navigate a clearer path toward educational and economic mobility. When one student succeeds, the impact extends far beyond that individual. Families, communities, and future generations all benefit. That’s the kind of multiplier effect that creates lasting change.”
SFI: What makes Student Freedom Initiative uniquely positioned to create lasting change?
Jesse: “SFI recognizes that student success isn’t determined by a single factor. The organization surrounds students with support—from innovative financing solutions to emergency assistance and financial education resources. It’s a systems change model designed around the realities students face while not conceding to the limitations of existing systems. That’s what makes it so powerful.”
SFI: If you were describing SFI to a friend or colleague, what would you want them to know?
Jesse: “If I were sitting around the kitchen table with friends or colleagues, I would say SFI is an alternative pathway to financing their child’s career pathway with built in wrap around support through their post secondary educational journey. What makes SFI compelling is that it was designed from the margins. Instead of asking students to adapt to a system that wasn’t built with them in mind, the organization asked how the system itself could be redesigned to better serve students and families. Those kinds of solutions are often ahead of their time, but they’re also the ones that become increasingly relevant as society begins to recognize the need they were created to address.”
For Jesse, the promise of Student Freedom Initiative extends well beyond today’s students.
Jesse: “The most meaningful investments create benefits that compound over time. What grounds me in the vision of SFI is that its impact doesn’t stop with a single student or even a single generation. When students graduate with greater financial stability, stronger support systems, and expanded opportunities, the effects ripple outward to families, communities, institutions, and future generations. That’s the kind of legacy worth building.”
As Student Freedom Initiative continues to expand its reach and impact, supporters like Jesse remind us that meaningful change is rarely measured by a single moment or milestone. Instead, it is built over time—through thoughtful design, sustained investment, and a shared belief that when opportunity is expanded for one student, the benefits can extend to families, communities, and generations to come.
This July and August, Student Freedom Initiative will share stories that highlight the power of opportunity, community, and investing in future generations.
Across the country, supporters, alumni, educators, business leaders, and advocates are helping create pathways to success for HBCU students. Together, they demonstrate how generosity and collective action can expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and advance economic mobility.
In the weeks ahead, we look forward to highlighting student journeys, community leadership, and the lasting impact of investing in student success.
Join us this summer as we celebrate legacy, opportunity, and the impact we can create together.
Student Freedom Initiative is a nonprofit that empowers students and strengthens institutions to close the wealth gap. Through equitable financing, tools, and resources, it helps students build generational wealth. SFI also equips participating institutions with capacity-building support to enhance resilience and reach their full potential. By partnering with community organizations, businesses, and government, SFI drives lasting, systemic change.