At a time when colleges are under mounting financial pressure and students face rising tuition anxiety, Meadow is stepping in with a bold solution. The San Francisco-based startup just closed a $14 million Series A round to expand its modern college tuition platform—one designed to untangle the confusion of cost, billing, and financial planning in higher education.
Colleges and universities today are struggling to balance sustainability with student support. Many institutions still rely on outdated systems that make it difficult to communicate tuition costs clearly, collect payments efficiently, and provide flexible support. Meadow aims to fix that—quietly, but effectively.
CEO and co-founder Alfredo I. Brillembourg believes the industry is at a breaking point. As he puts it, colleges that fail to explain tuition transparently, offer flexible options, or secure reliable payments are risking more than just revenue—they’re losing trust and students.
How Meadow’s College Tuition Platform Helps Students and Schools
Meadow’s approach is simple but powerful: help institutions streamline financial communication and make the process less overwhelming for students. With its rapidly growing network of partners—now over 170 colleges including major names like Penn State, Gonzaga, UC San Diego, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison—Meadow is showing that better financial tools can drive better outcomes.
The platform breaks down into three core offerings:
Meadow Price: This isn’t your average tuition estimator. Meadow Price delivers nearly 1 million personalized cost breakdowns so far, helping students understand what they’ll actually pay after financial aid. The average estimate? More than 40% below the sticker price, giving students real clarity before they even apply.
Meadow Pay: A mobile-first billing and payment system that integrates digital statements, customized messaging, and flexible payment plans. This improves on-time payments, boosts institutional cash flow, and gives families a smoother experience from day one.
Meadow Pre: Focused on past-due balances, this tool helps colleges recover unpaid tuition without harsh tactics. Through personalized outreach and barrier-free repayment options, it encourages re-enrollment instead of student dropouts.
With financial stress cited as a top reason 59% of students consider leaving school, Meadow is addressing the heart of the issue. The company sees its role not just as a software vendor, but as a partner helping to improve access and completion rates in higher education.
A Growing Demand for Simpler Financial Systems in Higher Education
As tuition and fees remain the primary source of income for most institutions, Student Financial Services teams are under strain. Often, each staff member handles over 1,000 students. Meanwhile, students face a complex, fragmented financial system that causes confusion and stress—often leading to dropouts.
This is where Meadow shines. According to Matt Brown, Partner at Matrix Partners, it’s shocking how unclear the tuition process remains, even though $500 billion is spent on education each year. Meadow’s strong growth reflects just how urgently schools need better tools.
The latest $14 million funding round will help Meadow expand and strengthen its offering. It was led by Matrix Partners and joined by Susa Ventures, Giant Ventures, Treble Capital, and GoGlobal Ventures. The investment brings the company’s total funding to over $20 million.
COO and co-founder Amy Jenkins says this investment will drive Meadow’s mission forward: giving more students the financial clarity they need to succeed in college. She believes that Meadow can change the narrative by showing students that a college degree is not only valuable—but achievable.
By modernizing the college tuition platform experience, Meadow is helping students stay enrolled, graduate on time, and plan confidently for the future. It’s building a better system—one that supports both schools and students at every step.
