"A collection of boutique hotels in university towns that highlights each location’s heritage through locally inspired design has pledged to raise $150,000 in partnership with scholarship app Scholly via a “$150K Payoff” campaign. From September 1 through December 31, 2019, participating properties in college towns (including Berkeley, Ann Arbor, Providence, Madison, Seattle and Minneapolis) will host community fundraisers — such as live jazz & blues brunches, rooftop Halloween parties, and Pure Barre classes followed by bagel-and-mimosa brunches — with tickets sold through Eventbrite and open to guests, locals and students; guests can also donate at checkout. Proceeds will be awarded as three $50,000 grants to be applied toward tuition or existing student loan debt; eligible applicants (individuals over 18 with outstanding federal or private loans, current undergraduates or graduates, and high school students registered to attend college) may apply at myscholly.com/graduatehotels through October 31 at 11:59 p.m. PST. At the time of the announcement there were 16 operating properties with several more planned to open soon." - Sarah Buder