ZF had me take a closer look and really ask questions about my finances - things that I didn't really think about or things that I didn't think were relevant yet as an undergrad. It started financial conversations with my family earlier, which gave me plenty of time to learn and ask questions before I had to act on my financial decisions (like paying back loans!) - Chelsea, ZF Alum
Co-Investment & Affordability
Co-Investment and Affordability are two key principles that our ZF Coaches emphasize with ZF Applicants & continue to cultivate with students as they join our ZF community.
Co-Investment
Co-investment is a term ZF adopted when thinking about how we view ourselves in relation to our students. We are a co-investor in our students and their education. We are one of many who support them in their education and future. At ZF, we commit to this support through coaching and financial scholarship. As a student, you co-invest in yourself by contributing your time and effort into getting the most out of your education. If you can, you co-invest monetarily as well. Other potential co-investors with you could be your family, your school of choice through a grant, and other scholarships or grant giving organizations. Co-investment can be emotional support as well as financial support. We all believe in you and want to invest in you and your future. A ZF student needs financial and emotional support from a variety of sources to succeed.
Affordability
ZF's definition of affordability is the capacity to completely pay off your college loans plus interest within 10 years of graduation based on realistic income and living expenses. The choice of school and academic major must be consistent with projected financial resources. There are many affordable paths to excellent educational opportunities and we coach our applicants to understand the potential financial ramifications of their options before making a choice. We are not financial advisors and we do not have all the answers. We share not only our own experiences but also what we have learned from our students and their experiences.
ZF's College Affordability Toolkit (CAT) can help guide you in your affordability determination. The CAT is not intended to be used, nor should it be, as the sole decision making tool when making your college choice.
Co-Investment
Co-investment is a term ZF adopted when thinking about how we view ourselves in relation to our students. We are a co-investor in our students and their education. We are one of many who support them in their education and future. At ZF, we commit to this support through coaching and financial scholarship. As a student, you co-invest in yourself by contributing your time and effort into getting the most out of your education. If you can, you co-invest monetarily as well. Other potential co-investors with you could be your family, your school of choice through a grant, and other scholarships or grant giving organizations. Co-investment can be emotional support as well as financial support. We all believe in you and want to invest in you and your future. A ZF student needs financial and emotional support from a variety of sources to succeed.
Affordability
ZF's definition of affordability is the capacity to completely pay off your college loans plus interest within 10 years of graduation based on realistic income and living expenses. The choice of school and academic major must be consistent with projected financial resources. There are many affordable paths to excellent educational opportunities and we coach our applicants to understand the potential financial ramifications of their options before making a choice. We are not financial advisors and we do not have all the answers. We share not only our own experiences but also what we have learned from our students and their experiences.
ZF's College Affordability Toolkit (CAT) can help guide you in your affordability determination. The CAT is not intended to be used, nor should it be, as the sole decision making tool when making your college choice.
Why does the Zenie Foundation (ZF) request detailed financial information?
We are a co-investor with our students. We need this information not only to evaluate financial resources but also to coach our ZF applicants & ZF students.
Today’s college students face financial choices that could impact them for years into their future. Our mission is beyond financial assistance; we focus on the transition from student into effective adult.
We encourage families to do their due diligence on ZF. You can find our most recent 990 Form here.
We are a co-investor with our students. We need this information not only to evaluate financial resources but also to coach our ZF applicants & ZF students.
Today’s college students face financial choices that could impact them for years into their future. Our mission is beyond financial assistance; we focus on the transition from student into effective adult.
We encourage families to do their due diligence on ZF. You can find our most recent 990 Form here.