Moving Mississippi Forward
We connect people, data, funding, and ideas to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and make postsecondary education more accessible—and completion more achievable—building a stronger future for Mississippi’s people and economy.
Our Approach to Postsecondary Success
To move Mississippi forward, more students need to move forward. That’s why we take a deliberate approach that is rooted in three key pillars: equitable access, data-informed decision making, and building systems that work better for everyone.
Research & Learning
We connect data with lived experience to drive decisions that make a difference. From funding applied research to sharing actionable findings, we work to inform practice, shape policy, and strengthen outcomes.
Policy &
Systems Change
We don’t just invest in programs—we change the systems behind them. Our work aligns institutions, policies, and partners to better support learners and the workforce Mississippi needs.
Equitable
Access
We focus on removing barriers and closing gaps—especially for students who face the greatest obstacles to opportunity. Equity is embedded in every grant, every program, and every partnership we pursue.
Funding Opportunities
Grantmaking is a part of how we fuel change across Mississippi. Through targeted, strategic investments, our grants support a wide range of work—from campus-level innovations that improve advising and reduce barriers, to policy initiatives and community-based programs.
Creating Opportunity for Every Mississippian
Mississippi’s future depends on all students having the chance to succeed. Whether students are the first in their family to attend college, returning later in life, or navigating unique challenges, we meet them where they are and help move them forward.
Get2College
Mississippi’s most impactful college access program, Get2College provides free, personalized support to students and families navigating the complex steps to higher education. From ACT prep and FAFSA help to admissions counseling and college planning, the program is designed to break down barriers and boost enrollment.
First Generation Students
Being the first in your family to attend college is a powerful milestone—and a complex journey. We invest in programs and services that offer guidance, mentorship, and resources to help first-generation students succeed at every stage.
Military-Connected Learners
Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families deserve clear, flexible pathways to education and career advancement. We fund and support programs designed to meet their unique needs and honor their commitment.
Adult Learners
Flexible strategies and targeted outreach to reengage working adults and help them complete a credential.
Rural Students
Geography shouldn’t limit opportunity. That’s why we focus on reaching students in rural communities across Mississippi with the tools, support, and access they need to pursue and complete a postsecondary credential.
Justice-Impacted Learners
We believe in second chances and the transformative power of education. Through initiatives like the Mississippi Consortium for Higher Education in Prison, we help justice-impacted learners gain the tools they need to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
A Shared Goal.
A Smarter Future.
Mississippi’s Ascent to 55% initiative is a bold statewide effort to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary credential to 55% by 2030—and 60% by 2035. WHEF supports this goal through leadership, funding, and policy alignment.
Grantmaking With Purpose
Every grant we make is a strategic investment in Mississippi’s future. Through targeted funding, we support programs, institutions, and initiatives that expand access to education, improve student outcomes, and strengthen the systems that shape postsecondary success—ultimately helping more Mississippians secure living-wage work and long-term economic mobility.
Our grantmaking is grounded in evidence, guided by data, and focused on lasting impact—for students, communities, and the state.
News & Updates
See what’s happening across our programs and partnerships—from new research and grant announcements to policy progress and student success stories.
