It starts with opportunity but it doesn’t end there. Access to scholarships to attend a rigorous college-prep high school is just the first step. True access in education means removing the structural and systemic barriers that limit potential and providing students with the additional tools and support they need to thrive.
Research shows that tuition assistance alone is insufficient to unlock economic mobility for students from historically underserved communities. And this is prominent in the Chicago area where Murphy Scholars live. This narrow focus neglects the complex, foundational barriers students in underserved communities face daily. Students often face non-academic barriers, such as food insecurity, housing instability, transportation challenges, and lack of mentorship, that can impede academic success, persistence, and overall well-being.
To support families and alleviate the financial burden, DMSF steps in to fill that gap. On top of the financial aid every Murphy Scholar receives from their school, DMSF provides each family with an average contribution of $5,000 for day school Scholars to bridge the remaining cost and ensure access to a high-quality education.
Wraparound support refers to holistic services that address these non-academic barriers, integrating academic, social, emotional, and logistical resources to ensure Scholars can thrive. According to the Education Finance Council’s 2024 report, evidence consistently shows that programs offering comprehensive support, such as mentorship, mental health resources, peer networks, and navigation services, significantly improve student outcomes, including retention, graduation rates, and self-efficacy. Conversely, access programs that neglect these components risk leaving students behind, perpetuating disparities even when tuition is covered.
Students receiving wraparound support are more likely to persist in school, maintain higher GPAs, and develop critical life skills necessary for long-term success. These supports are most effective when they naturally align with the student experience rather than offered as ad hoc or optional services.
At DMSF, student success isn’t an afterthought, it’s built into every step of the Murphy Scholar experience.
Our programs include:
- Mandatory Programs: Summer Bridge and College Counseling
- Mentoring & Affinity Groups
- Leadership Development
- Summer Opportunities: Travel abroad programs, pre-collegiate programs, Murphy Caddie Program
- Murphy Alumni Network: Workshops on career exploration and professional growth
DMSF embodies a well-rounded academic AND non-academic approach. While DMSF provides critical tuition support for high-achieving students from Chicago and Lake County, its impact extends far beyond financial aid. Programs like Summer Bridge, mentoring, college counseling and career exploration represent the core of DMSF’s wraparound model. By combining scholarship support with these additional targeted services, DMSF addresses both wider barriers, positioning Murphy Scholars for success from middle school to high school, college and beyond. This comprehensive strategy is proven to improve students’ educational outcomes, while simultaneously helping to reduce absenteeism and dropout rates. Moreover, integrating this support increases engagement and fosters long-term career interest and success.
As a result of these experiences and support, Murphy Scholars are outpacing peers from similar economic backgrounds, graduating college at three times the national rate, with 87% already having earned or on track to earn their Bachelor’s degree within six years. They maintain an impressive average cumulative core GPA of 3.4, demonstrating both academic excellence and consistent achievement.
DMSF’s holistic approach aligns with the broader research consensus: access to opportunity is achieved not only by opening doors but by supporting students with the right tools to walk confidently through them. DMSF’s model demonstrates that leveling the playing field requires more than financial aid, it requires a sustained, integrated commitment to the whole student. By investing in wraparound support, DMSF ensures that Scholars are not only able to access education but are empowered to excel, thrive, and ultimately, transform their communities.
Sources:
Education Finance Council. (2024). The efficacy of wraparound support services on improving postsecondary student outcomes (Brief No. 4). https://www.efc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Brief_4_EFC_SupportServices_FINAL-1.pdf (efc.org)
UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab. (2021, August 5). Nearly one in seven Chicago students experiences homelessness, according to study. Harris School of Public Policy. https://harris.uchicago.edu/news-events/news/nearly-one-seven-chicago-students-experiences-homelessness-according-study (Harris School of Public Policy)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. (2024, May 21). Role of mentors in high school success. https://bbbsli.org/role-of-mentors-high-school-success/ (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island)
Coalition for Community Schools. (2023, December 30). Community schools model provides wraparound support for K‑12 students. Forbes. https://www.communityschools.org/news/community-schools-model-provides-wraparound-support-for-k-12-students/ (Community Schools)
Maier, A., Daniel, J., Oakes, J., & Lam, L. (2020). Community schools as an effective school improvement strategy: A review of the evidence. Learning Policy Institute & National Education Policy Center. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/community-schools-effective-school-improvement-brief (Learning Policy Institute)
