Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has provided support to Funding U, a lender offering last-gap, merit-based loans to low-income students without co-signers, citing her own college experience with a $1,000 loan. Scott’s involvement complements her broader higher‑education philanthropy focused on access and economic security for disadvantaged students. The gift highlights a growing interest among major donors in mission-aligned, market-oriented financial products that aim to close affordability gaps. Institutions and nonprofits should expect increased scrutiny of such hybrid approaches and their long-term impact on college access.