Free Postsecondary Support
Next Steps
Free Supplemental College and Career Advising for Summer
Next Steps Advising provides free, live, on-demand support for high school students and their families over the summer. This includes applications, financial aid, personal statements, list-making, and more. Live advisors are available Monday through Friday from 4-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Students can also sign up to receive Next Steps Texts, which provides reminders about deadlines, college and career information, and opportunities.
Matriculate is a FREE virtual college advising program that connects high-achieving low-income students with a near-peer college mentor who works one-on-one with students throughout the college and financial aid processes. Our Advising Fellows are trained college students who will help you with all of your stops on the road map to college.
Who should apply?
GPA of 3.5 or higher
Annual family income of less than $80,000
Attends high school in the US
Current junior, or rising senior
Taking a rigorous course load
The Matchlighters Scholars Program connects generous and experienced college counselors with high-achieving students from low-income households across the country to deliver college admissions help to those who need it most.
The scholarship comprises 10 hours of one-on-one support in navigating the complex college admissions process, from experienced counselors — at no cost. To be eligible, you must:
be a second-semester junior
Qualify for free/reduced lunch
be a U.S. citizen
Have a 3.0+ GPA
The Let's Get Ready Virtual Access Program offers free SAT prep for rising juniors and seniors, as well as dedicated mentorship from college students serving as coaches. Click here to apply for the 2022 Summer Program.
Free Essay Editing Service with DePaul University
We have a team of DePaul students who are trained as Peer Editors by the DePaul Writing Center. Our editors assist high school students with their college essays. Each Peer Editor works one-on-one with each student, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
Next Steps Advising provides free, live, on-demand support for high school students and their families over the summer. This includes applications, financial aid, personal statements, list-making, and more. Live advisors are available Monday through Friday from 4-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Students can also sign up to receive Next Steps Texts, which provides reminders about deadlines, college and career information, and opportunities.
This free program aims to help African-American students prepare for, apply to, pay for, persist in, and graduate from college. Applications are accepted year round
Year Up is a nonprofit that provides workshop developments, including:
Free training in computer software and technology, business administration, or finance operations
Corporate internships with Fortune 500 companies
A stipend throughout the program
MEOC delivers student-centered academic and workforce development programs and serves as a gateway to access further education, career achievement, personal growth, and self-sufficiency for adult learners in the NYC area. We offer free career training programs in areas like construction, hospitality, and health-related careers. Please note that while this link is to the Manhattan Educational Opportunity center, you can find an EOC in all five boroughs of NYC.
Henry Street Settlement's Y.E.S. program is recruiting teens who have receive a grade of C or below on their most recent report cards. Students can earn up to $100/month to receive academic support, financial literacy training, work experience, and more. For more information and to sign up, go to the link above or contact jessenia.mendoza@henrystreet.org