Partnership integrates college readiness and financial aid tools to expand access

SAN FRANCISCO , Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Going Merry by Earnest, an innovative financial aid and scholarship platform, and ACT, a leader in college readiness and assessment, have announced a partnership that will simplify the path from college testing to college funding. The collaboration combines ACT's test scores and readiness measures with Going Merry by Earnest's full suite of financial aid and scholarship tools, enabling access to higher education for students and their families.

"At Earnest, we believe that giving students early access to the right tools can significantly shape their journey," said Matt Palese, COO of Earnest. "This partnership with ACT combines the academic support students rely on with the financial guidance they often struggle to find.

By connecting the experience of taking the ACT with personalized financial aid resources, we're removing barriers that too often stand in the way of higher education. Our goal is to help every student make confident, informed decisions about their future, and this collaboration is an important step toward making that a reality."

Now, students who take the ACT can seamlessly transition from test preparation to financial aid discovery, joining the 360,000 students who used Going Merry by Earnest in 2024 to secure $8.8 million in scholarships. Through their ACT account, students can access Going Merry by Earnest's award-winning resources, including:

• FAFSA Guidance: Accessible resources, such as FAQs and video tutorials, to help students confidently complete their applications.
• Scholarship Streamlining: Tools that auto-fill applications, provide estimated completion times, and offer a personalized list of vetted scholarship recommendations matched to students.
• Financial Planning Support:
  • College Match Tool to compare college costs.
  • Smart Planner to keep students organized.
  • Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator to assist students in requesting additional funding.

"Students face a maze of complex questions about college opportunities, and unfortunately, the lack of easily accessible, trustworthy information can be a significant barrier to accessing higher education," said Janet Godwin, CEO of ACT. "Through our partnership with Going Merry by Earnest, we will break down those barriers by giving them the financial tools and resources they need to make informed decisions. Higher education should not just remain a dream; it should be an affordable and attainable reality for all."

Learn more about how ACT and Going Merry by Earnest are helping students on the path to college at www.goingmerry.com and www.act.org.

About Earnest:
Earnest empowers past, present, and soon-to-be students to maximize their financial futures through thoughtful guidance and impactful products. Founded in 2013 on the belief that financially responsible people deserve better options and access to credit, Earnest's education tools and lending products empower anyone seeking higher education to reduce the total price tag of their education, supercharge their ability to pay down student debt, and get on the right financial track fast. Earnest further expanded its mission through the acquisition of Going Merry, a leading financial aid and scholarship platform, in 2021. Together, they simplify the financial aid process to make higher education more accessible.
Learn more at earnest.com.

Earnest is a subsidiary of Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI).

Earnest Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107

Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340 Oakland, CA 94612, NMLS #1204917, Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC (NMLS #1204917) with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

© 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

About ACT:
ACT is dedicated to transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. With over 65 years of experience, ACT's assessments, research, and learning tools help students, educators, and organizations achieve their education and career goals. Learn more at www.act.org.

Press Contact
Earnest PR
press@earnest.com

ACT PR
publicrelations@act.org

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SOURCE Earnest