Discover the story of Christopher Gray, the Ramsay student who earned $1.3 million in university scholarships with the help of Scholly. Start your journey to college success today!
What is Scholly?
Scholly is an online platform and mobile app that assists students in finding scholarships for higher education.
Founders
Christopher Gray, a former Ramsay High School student in Birmingham, Alabama, created the business. His mother, raising his three siblings alone, had recently lost her work at a contact center due to the 2008 recession. He is the oldest of the siblings. Gray, the first in his family to attend college, looked online for scholarships to help with his tuition and other costs.
The Horatio Alger scholarship, worth $20,000, was his first grant. “I left the classroom to answer the phone. I hurried back inside and hugged my teacher tightly. That’s when I realized I could actually go to college.” Gray earned scholarships totaling $1.3 million. “I’m covered until my Ph.D.,” he said, selecting Drexel University in Philadelphia to study business administration. Together with web developers Bryson Alef and Nick Pirollo, he established Scholly.
Company Profile
| Company Name | Scholly |
| Founder | Christopher Gray |
| Product | App for finding college scholarships. |
| Investment Seeking | $40,000 For 15% equity in Scholly |
| Final Deal | $40,000 For 15% equity in Scholly |
| Products | Scholly Payoff, Scholly |
| Shark | Daymond John and Lori Greiner |
| Industry | Education, University |
| Scholly Episode | Episode 20, Season 6 |
| Users | 850,000 (as of December 2016) |
| Scholly URL | https://myscholly.com/ |
| Scholly Net Worth | $5 Million |
Scholly: Shark Tank Appearance
Christopher Gray offered the Sharks $40,000 in return for 15% of his startup to advance to the next round of his proposal. After revealing Scholly’s operation to SharkTank investors, he debuted on-screen during season six. After pointing out that over $100 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed annually, he piqued the Sharks’ interest even further.
Daymond John and Lori Greiner, however, praised the business plan.
They invested forty thousand dollars together, not knowing Scholly’s current earnings. This created quite a stir because Robert wanted to avoid the performance becoming a charity. The creator of Scholly said yes to Lori and Daymond despite all the commotion.
Scholly: After Shark Tank
Scholly had 80,000 inquiries within hours of the premiere of their Shark Tank episode, and she was highlighted by prominent media publications such as Forbes, Fortune Magazine, and Fox News. In addition, Gray has been invited to the White House twice and met Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates.
With over 850,000 downloads, Scholly quickly rose to the top of the app store’s college scholarship category. The software used to cost $0.99 before Shark Tank but now costs $4.99 monthly. Although it is free to download, users must either pay a monthly charge or try it out for free. Six hundred users have given the Scholly app a 3.7 out of 5 rating on the Apple App Store.
The business owners of the app are currently working on a feature that will assist with student debt. To address this issue, they have partnered up with actor Jesse Williams. People may sign up with Scholly’s partners, such as Acorn, Survey Junkie, and Sallie Mae, and make money. Scholly is estimated to be worth around $5 million.
How does Scholly work?
Scholly utilizes a database of scholarships and provides students with a personalized list of scholarship opportunities based on their profile information.
Is Scholly free to use?
While Scholly offers a free version with limited features, a subscription-based premium version provides additional benefits and access to more scholarships.
How can I create a profile on Scholly?
To create a profile on Scholly, you need to download the app or visit their website and follow the registration process, which includes providing your personal and academic information.
Can Scholly be used internationally?
Yes, Scholly can be used by students in various countries. However, the availability of scholarships may vary depending on the region.
How accurate does Scholly provide the scholarship matches?
Scholly’s matching algorithm aims to provide accurate scholarship recommendations based on the information provided by students. However, reviewing and verifying the scholarship requirements is always advisable before applying.
Can Scholly help with essay writing for scholarship applications?
Yes, Scholly offers resources and tips for writing strong scholarship essays. They guide you on how to make your application stand out and increase your chances of success.
How secure is the personal information provided on Scholly?
Scholly takes privacy and data security seriously. They have measures to protect user information and adhere to standard data protection practices.
Can Scholly help with financial aid for college?
Yes, in addition to scholarships, Scholly provides information and resources on financial aid options, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
How successful is Scholly in helping students secure scholarships?
Scholly has helped students secure millions of dollars in scholarships since its inception. However, the success of individual students in obtaining scholarships depends on various factors such as eligibility, competition, and the quality of their applications.
