Two generations, one path: Chicago program sends students, parents to college together

AARON KUECKER THINKS the economics of higher education are broken. As CEO of Hope Chicago, he’s on a mission to fix that.

Founded in 2022, the nonprofit sends two generations — a student and a parent, guardian or grandparent — to college at the same time, offering both “last-dollar scholarships” to ensure that all generations graduate debt-free. This family-centric approach improves an individual’s economic mobility while strengthening entire families, schools and neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides.