Ayers Scholars Program
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Overview
A nationally-recognized scholarship and college preparation program that provides comprehensive support to students in rural Tennessee counties, helping to increase college-going rates in economically distressed and at-risk communities.
Geographic Scope: 21 rural Tennessee counties across all three grand divisions of the state. Currently serves 33 high schools and two community colleges.
Focus Areas:
- College preparation and readiness
- Post-secondary pathway guidance (college or other post-secondary training)
- Support for at-risk and economically distressed students
- Early intervention (starting in 8th grade)
Program Model:
- Provides full-time, trained advisors and counselors in participating schools
- Student guidance from 8th grade through college or post-secondary completion
- Intensive college-going support
Key Statistics:
- Now operates in 33 high schools and 2 community colleges
- Schools in the program show college-going rates ~10% higher than state average
- Recent expansion schools saw 12 percentage point increases in college-going rates within 2 years
Administrator: Ayers Foundation Trust
Contact/More Information: AyersFoundationTrust.org
What Governors Rural Education Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 1
- Total given
- $12.5M
- Median grant
- $12.5M
- By dollars: Tennessee 100%. Top recipient cities: Parsons, TN.
Example grants
TAF Rural Expansion Foundation · Parsons, TN
Imp. college access
$12.5M
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