BROWARD COUNTY, FL – (April 7, 2026) Broward Education Foundation (BEF), in proud partnership with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Bridge2Life, has been awarded a transformative $1.1 million grant from Helios Education Foundation to support Postsecondary Success for All — a bold initiative designed to strengthen post-secondary readiness and access to college and career pathways for more than 24,000 students annually in grades six through 12.

This three-year initiative will directly serve 9,682 BCPS high school students and indirectly benefit an additional 14,000 BCPS middle school students, with a focused effort to support youth from underserved communities. The program will expand access to accelerated coursework, deliver one-on-one college and career advising, provide ACT/SAT preparation and host Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshops, college bootcamps and family engagement nights across 80 District schools.

“This investment is a game changer for our students, particularly those who have historically faced barriers to higher education,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “We are grateful to Helios Education Foundation for supporting our District’s vision for postsecondary success. Through this initiative, we are expanding access to advanced coursework and ensuring every student receives the mentorship, resources and support needed to thrive beyond high school.”

Impact Metrics

• Expanding Access to Accelerated Learning: Through strategic outreach and partnerships with local colleges, the initiative will raise awareness of and increase enrollment in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and Dual Enrollment programs district-wide for high school students.
• Providing College and Career Readiness Support: Providing support districtwide to build the academic skills needed to perform well on the ACT and SAT, key components in college admissions, scholarship eligibility and eligibility for access to advanced college credit coursework.
• Enhancing Personalized Advising and Mentoring: 11th and 12th grade students and families will receive one-on-one advising on college applications, financial aid (including FAFSA), scholarships, and career exploration.
• Supporting Postsecondary Transitions: The initiative will guide high school seniors and their parents/guardians through the college entry process via college fairs, FAFSA workshops, application support, and sustained mentoring. Federal Student Aid has again granted unprecedented permission for Bridge2Life to participate in early access to the 2026/2027 FAFSA Beta 1 testing beginning in August 2026. By addressing both academic and socio-emotional barriers, the project will strengthen student readiness, foster a more inclusive college-going culture across the District, and use real-time data to continuously refine support and improve outcomes.

“At Helios, we know that postsecondary success doesn’t happen by chance, it requires intentional systems of support that meet students where they are and guide them every step of the way,” said Helios Education Foundation President and CEO Paul J. Luna. “Through this partnership with Broward Education Foundation, Broward County Public Schools, and Bridge2Life, we are helping to expand access to accelerated learning, strengthen advising, and build a college-going culture that reaches every student. Together, we are not only opening doors to opportunity—we are helping students walk through them with confidence and a clear path forward.”

“Opportunities like this strengthen our alignment with national philanthropic leaders and reflect a shared commitment to transformational impact in education,” said James A. Knapp, President & CEO of Broward Education Foundation. “This partnership underscores the important role Broward Education Foundation plays in aligning philanthropic investment with BCPS priorities to expand opportunities for students. We are proud to work alongside Broward County Public Schools and Bridge2Life, and grateful to Helios Education Foundation for its continued partnership.”