Michelle Barton

Students are at the core of Bottom Line. Every day, we are energized by their drive, potential, and passion. We know that the success of our students will create a ripple effect in our communities. Bottom Line is bridging the divide of educational inequity by providing a trusted advisor and the social capital necessary for our students to earn their bachelor’s degree, build financial stability, and successfully launch thriving careers. We primarily focus on students of color who will be in the first generation of their family to earn a college degree, are from low-income backgrounds, and are academically prepared for college. For more than two decades, Bottom Line has been fighting for educational equity by ensuring that the right to a quality college education is accessible to those whose potential and drive exceed their opportunity. For first-generation degree-aspiring students from low-income backgrounds who face systemic barriers, Bottom Line’s advisors are a relentless ally who partner with them to find the right college, persist to a degree, and successfully launch a career. As one of the first college support organizations to focus on college completion, Bottom Line now produces best-in-class college graduation rates that reduce the significant gap between first-generation students from low-income backgrounds and their wealthier peers. We operate regional programs in Massachusetts, New York City, and Chicago that collectively serve over 7,000 students.