Drexel-born Scholly Soars: Scholarship App Acquired By Sallie Mae

We celebrate the remarkable achievement of Baiada Institute alumnus Christopher Gray, founder of Scholly, an innovative app revolutionizing scholarship access for students and families. Scholly’s recent acquisition by Sallie Mae marks another triumph for Close School and Baiada graduates, showcasing the transformative power of entrepreneurial ideas nurtured at Drexel University. 

From its inception within Drexel’s academic ecosystem, Scholly has empowered students nationwide, facilitating over $100 million in scholarship awards. Gray’s strategic decision to transition the app to a free model in July 2023 propelled its success, attracting a staggering 20,000 new users in just under two months. The recent Sallie Mae acquisition has allowed the app to go completely free, meaning even more students will be able to use it to fund their college careers. The $40,000 investment from Shark Tank has returned around $2,000,000 in profit for Gray and investors following the acquisition. As a testament to Drexel’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, Christopher Gray’s journey serves as inspiration for all students, illustrating the profound impact of entrepreneurial thinking and dedication to creating positive change.

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