About the Come to Believe Foundation

The Come to Believe Foundation (CTB) assists higher education institutions in developing and launching a two-year college model that provides a pathway for underserved students to receive four-year degrees. First developed at Arrupe College at Loyola University Chicago, the CTB model provides students with small classes, dedicated faculty advisors, mental health services, generous financial aid and other supports. The results are exemplary, with graduation rates four to six times the national average, and over 80% of graduates transferring to four-year schools. CTB operates as an accelerator within the higher education ecosystem—we identify, support, and invest in institutions that can successfully replicate CTB’s model on their campuses.

A Big Problem

Students from underserved communities often lack the resources and support they need to pursue their dreams of higher education. Without the academic credentials or financial means required to attend selective colleges and universities, these students often enroll at institutions with fewer resources and lower graduation rates. As a result, many students incur debt but don’t graduate.

A Big Solution

The Come to Believe model is two-year college program embedded within a four-year college or university. CTB model colleges’ high retention and completion rates result from its innovative design. The model provides the specific supports our students need to succeed. They include:

  • Rigorous Academics: Students take classes at the same level of instruction they would at a selective four-year college or university.

  • High-Touch Faculty & Staff: Class sizes are purposefully small and each student has a faculty advisor (20:1 ratio) to provide personalized support.

  • Holistic Student Supports: Students receive breakfast and lunch, access to a food pantry, a financial aid officer, full-time social workers, laptops for schoolwork and more.

  • Transfer Pathways: Students earn two years of credits that are fully transferable to bachelor’s degree programs, with full-time staff assisting students with the transfer process.

  • No Student Debt: Leveraging federal, state and institutional aid, 90% of students graduate with no debt.

Who we serve

Students at CTB model colleges are typically first-generation college students and all are either Pell-eligible or undocumented.

What makes CTB different

CTB model colleges graduate more students – 50%+ in two years compared to 13% nationally – at less cost to the students – 90% of our graduates earn a degree with no debt.

Our Goal

With two CTB model colleges operating, our goal is to open ten more colleges at host universities in the next five years.


Testimonials

In his study of higher education, THE MOST IMPORTANT YEARS: HOW COLLEGE CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU (2019), author Paul Tough observed Arrupe College “may be doing a more impressive job of keeping its students enrolled and on track for success than any other institution I visited.” -Paul Tough