Free Postsecondary Planning Programs

There are various college access and application programs available that offer free and individualized support to high achieving low-income, first-generation, and minority students.

Let's Get Ready

Are you a high school junior or senior feeling excited (and a little nervous) about applying to college? Or a college student looking for support and tips on how to thrive in college? You don't have to do it alone! Let's Get Ready's college student coaches are available on your phone to answer your questions and to offer encouragement along the way. Let's Get Ready provides students with free college application and completion support from junior year of high school through college graduation! Services are led by near-peer college student coaches and are tailored to your college journey. Throughout your time with LGR, you'll have lots of choices about how you engage with LGR college student coaches. If you will graduate from high school in 2024 or later, applications close May 22!

Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.

Bottom Line

Bottom Line partners with degree-aspiring students of color from under-resourced communities to get into and through college successfully and launch a career. Through the College Access program, high school seniors receive one-on-one guidance from an advisor throughout all aspects of the college application and decision process.

Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.

Guided Pathway Support Program

The Guided Pathway Support Program is an online college access community that helps African American high school juniors and seniors reach their best-fit colleges. It is a free college, scholarship, and financial aid advising program that engages students through an online college access community.

Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.

Matchlighters Scholars Program

The Matchlighters Scholars program pairs high-achieving students from low-income households - who need extra support with the college application and essay process - with experienced college counselors.

Submit all materials by August 1 to be matched by August 15. Submit all materials by September 1 to be matched by September 15. Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.

Matriculate

Matriculate connects high-achieving low-income students with an Advising Fellow who works one-on-one with students throughout the college and financial aid process. Matriculate is a virtual program.

Click here to learn more. Click here to apply.

Next Steps Advising

Next Steps Advising is a live one-on-one college and career advising program that allows NYCDOE students to share questions via an online form and receive responses via text message from a NYCDOE advisor. Monday through Friday 4pm - 8pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm.

Click here to receive weekly texts about reminders, deadlines, information, and opportunities.

Click here to learn more. Click here to connect with an advisor.

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