The College Access Program

The cornerstone of the College Access Program is the one-on-one relationships between students and advisors. These sustained relationships enable participants and their families to access ongoing support throughout every step of the college admissions and financial aid process. Youth join College Visions in the spring of 11th grade and remain in the College Access Program until they enter college 12-16 months later. As members of a college-bound community, students actively engage in College Vision’s benchmark-driven curriculum. Students participate in an intensive group workshop series the summer before senior year and then frequent one-on-one meetings with their CV advisor throughout the year.

Through this process, College Visions helps students to:

  • Demystify college options and understand the landscape of college opportunities.
  • dentify characteristics of their ideal school.
  • Visit campuses during multiple daylong trips throughout the Northeast.
  • Consider important quantitative data such as graduation rates and financial aid when researching colleges.
  • Register for the SAT and ACT.
  • Develop a personalized college list that reflects students’ academic interests and personality.
  • Produce creative essays, polished résumés, and well-crafted applications.
  • Choose a college after acceptances have arrived.
  • Access on-campus support networks and retention programs.

CV also works closely with families to navigate the financial aid process so that all participants’ college tuition and costs will ultimately be affordable and within reach. CV helps students to:

  • Focus their college search on colleges with strong financial aid programs. CV advisors help students learn about colleges with a track record of providing funding to low-income students.
  • Afford the application process by providing fee waivers for the SAT, the ACT, and college applications.
  • File the required financial aid applications for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. CV hosts several FAFSA and CSS Profile Workshops for families to meet with financial aid counselors and complete the necessary forms.
  • Analyze financial aid awards they receive from colleges and determine the most affordable option.
  • Advocate for additional aid from college financial aid offices if the original award is insufficient.
  • Choose responsible student loan options and minimize loan debt.
  • Navigate the enrollment and billing process.
  • Ultimately secure an advantageous financial aid award.