Currently Enrolled at an HBCU
Students must be enrolled at an accredited Historically Black College or University.
The HLM Foundation Inc.
PERSIST Emergency Educational Assistance
Helping HBCU Students Stay the Course
Unexpected financial emergencies should not force HBCU students to put their education on hold. PERSIST is being developed to provide assistance when continued enrollment and academic progress are at risk.
Receive Program Updates About PERSIST
A Financial Setback Shouldn't End an Educational Journey.
An unexpected financial emergency should not have to bring a student's educational journey to an end.
The HLM Foundation's PERSIST Emergency Educational Assistance Program is designed to help students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) overcome unexpected financial barriers that threaten continued enrollment, academic progress, or degree completion.
Through limited, one-time emergency educational assistance, PERSIST seeks to provide support at critical moments so students can remain focused on achieving their educational goals.
01
Respond to Emergencies
Address unexpected, documented educational financial challenges.
02
Protect Academic Progress
Help students overcome financial obstacles threatening enrollment or degree completion.
03
Provide Targeted Support
Offer limited assistance based on verified educational needs and available funding.
Program Eligibility
Who May Qualify?
PERSIST is intended for currently enrolled HBCU students experiencing documented educational financial emergencies.
Undergraduate or Graduate
Students pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree may qualify.
Full-Time or Part-Time
Both full-time and part-time enrolled students may be considered.
Documented, Time-Sensitive Need
Students must demonstrate an unexpected financial emergency that threatens educational progress and provide supporting documentation.
No minimum GPA requirement. Each request is evaluated based on the student's documented circumstances, program eligibility, available funding, and Foundation approval.
Eligible Educational Emergencies
What Types of Expenses May Qualify?
PERSIST is intended to address unexpected, specific, time-sensitive, and non-recurring educational financial needs.
The Foundation considers the circumstances creating the emergency, not simply the category of expense.
01
An unexpected institutional balance placing enrollment, registration, or degree completion at immediate risk.
02
An unanticipated reduction or loss of financial aid creating an immediate educational funding gap.
03
An additional required course or academic credit necessary for degree completion when the expense was not reasonably anticipated.
04
An unexpected required academic expense, such as a certification examination, specialized course material, or program-specific requirement essential to progress.
05
Other documented educational emergencies meeting PERSIST's eligibility standards and receiving Foundation approval.
Expenses Not Generally Covered
PERSIST is not designed to cover routine tuition and fees, recurring living expenses, ordinary books and supplies, previously known balances without a new emergency circumstance, or expenses unrelated to education.
Eligibility depends on the nature and documentation of the unexpected emergency.
Emergency Assistance
Award Information
$1,500Maximum potential assistance per eligible emergency, subject to verified need and available funding.
Awards cannot exceed the documented eligible expense.
Assistance is generally limited to one PERSIST award per student.
A subsequent award may be considered only for a materially different, documented emergency with additional Foundation approval.
Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.
Whenever practicable, payments are made directly to the student's HBCU or a verified educational provider, rather than to the student.
How PERSIST Works
Application Process
Once launched, PERSIST is designed to accept applications on a rolling, year-round basis while the program is active and funding is available.
Application instructions and documentation requirements will be announced when the program opens.
01
Submit an Application
Eligible students will be able to submit a request once the program launches.
02
Provide Supporting Documentation
Applicants may be required to provide proof of enrollment, documentation of the financial emergency, verification of the amount requested, and other relevant information.
03
Individual Review
The Foundation will review each application individually based on program criteria, documented need, and available funding.
04
Decision and Next Steps
Students will be notified of the Foundation's decision and any applicable next steps.
Our Commitment
Helping Students Keep Moving Forward.
At The HLM Foundation, we recognize that unexpected financial challenges can place even the most determined students at risk of interrupting their education.
PERSIST reflects our commitment to helping HBCU students navigate critical financial obstacles, remain enrolled, and continue progressing toward degree completion.
Because an unexpected setback should not have to mean the end of an educational dream.
Stay Informed
Stay Connected. Stay the Course.
Applications Are Not Currently Open
Once PERSIST launches, eligible students will be able to apply throughout the year, subject to available funding. Join our scholarship notification list to receive updates about application instructions, documentation requirements, and program availability.
Join the Scholarship Notification List Program availability and awards are subject to Foundation approval and available funding.