GRAD Last Mile Fund
The Graduate Ready to Achieve Degree (GRAD) Last Mile Fund is an innovative grant program that helps college students in Massachusetts overcome unexpected financial barriers in their final stretch toward graduation. Designed for students who are close to earning their degrees but may not qualify for traditional financial aid – or have already used all available resources – the Fund provides emergency support for urgent needs like housing insecurity, medical bills, or tuition gaps. This timely assistance ensures that financial setbacks don’t derail students’ academic progress.
Created in 2018 by the Frieze family in partnership with the City of Boston and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), the GRAD Last Mile Fund aims to increase college completion and help graduates transition into successful careers. From 2018 to 2025, the Fund has supported 1,644 students with over $2.2 million in support. 78% of recipients graduated within one year of receiving their GRAD Fund support – a powerful return on a modest investment.
"This grant will help alleviate the burden of rent and food so my mind can focus on finally completing my degree."
-GRAD Last Mile Fund Recipient
Selection Criteria
The Fund strives to support a diverse group of recipients across gender, race, age, and other factors. Priority is given to students who:
- Face non-academic financial hardship;
- Have not registered for their final semester or paid tuition by a pre-established cutoff date;
- Have exhausted other aid options;
- Are undocumented/DACA students, parents, and/or veterans.
Students eligible for funds through the GRAD Last Mile Fund must:
- Be on track academically to graduate in the next semester at a 2-year college; or be on track to graduate in the next two semesters at a 4-year college;
- Have a demonstrated financial need;
- Be a resident of Massachusetts.
How It Works
Managed by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), the GRAD Last Mile Fund partners with 15 colleges and universities across Massachusetts to provide aid to students for unexpected expenses related to housing, food, transportation, and essential school materials such as textbooks and laptops. It can also help cover tuition, fees, and outstanding balances when students have exhausted all other sources of financial aid or when non-academic expenses prevent them from paying these costs.
Each year, schools receive allocations based on projected need and administer the application and award process locally. TPI convenes partners twice a year to share insights and track impact.
Students may receive up to $3,000 in support from the GRAD Last Mile Fund. In 2024–25, the average award was just $1,159 per student – proof that even modest support can change lives.
To learn more about the Fund please contact TPI at gradlastmile@tpi.org.
Donate to the GRAD Last Mile Fund
Gift Instructions
Thank you for your interest. You may make credit card donations using the form below.
To give from a Donor Advised Fund, please recommend a grant to "Boston Foundation, Inc." with the name of the fund in the grant purpose field.
To donate by check, make your check payable to "Boston Foundation, Inc." with the name of the fund in the memo field and mail to:
The Boston Foundation
PO Box 843027
Boston, MA 02284-3027
For wire or bank transfers, or to inquire about transferring other types of assets, please click here for a PDF of the fund gift instructions or contact our Fund Administration office at (617) 338-2637 or email fundadmin@tbf.org.