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It pays to start early

Back of a graduating woman
Confident teen doctor with stethoscope posing with arms crossed

What is Imagine Early?

A Launchpad Toward a Bright Future, One Assignment at a Time

Transform the way your child views education now, and how your family prepares for the future. Students in grades 4-8 earn early award scholarships by completing their regular schoolwork, building a fund of $1,000 for future opportunities. Every completed assignment serves to support opportunities after high school.

A Battering Ram to Financial Barriers

For too long, limited opportunities, lack of financial knowledge, and the overwhelming question of “Can we afford this?” have blocked students from reaching their potential. Imagine Early was created to address these barriers and make the dream of education beyond high school a possibility for every student.

A Community-Wide Movement

Imagine Early is more than a financial aid tool; it’s a catalyst for change in our community. It helps students learn and think about the future so they are prepared to pursue their educational journey. The program is backed by businesses, organizations, and citizens who are united in the cause of helping our children succeed in life.

A Simple Guide to Imagining Early

Enroll Your Child (100% FREE)

We will work alongside you to enroll your child in Imagine Early. It’s a straightforward process designed to welcome families into our innovative early award scholarship program.

Earn As They Learn

Once enrolled, students in grades 4-8 begin to earn scholarship money toward their future education as they complete 100% of their schoolwork at 70% proficiency. From math facts to reading assignments to career projects, every effort counts.

Track Progress

We keep you updated every step of the way. You can always see how your child’s school efforts are translating into early award scholarship dollars.

Graduate and Use the Funds!

Upon graduating from high school, your child can use their accumulated scholarships to pursue higher education—whether that’s college, a trade school, or vocational training.

Momentum Is Already Building

More than 60% of Wabash County 4th-8th grade students have enrolled in Imagine Early. The Community Foundation maintains more than 2,700 early award scholarship funds for these students.

Girl students at Imagine Early

Manchester Community Schools, Wabash City Schools, MSD of Wabash County, and St. Bernard’s Catholic School are actively engaged in enrolling students and integrating Imagine Early into school life.

Imagine Early is highly regarded across the country in the field of children’s savings accounts (CSAs) and is being studied by the University of Michigan. The program is funded by a national private foundation and by more than 220 local businesses, organizations, and citizens.

Young boy students and a girl at Imagine Early

It pays to learn early!