About VCAC

The Virginia College Advising Corps, formerly known as the College Guide Program, was established in 2005 to encourage and assist high school students with the transition between high school and post-secondary education. Currently 36 Advisers serve in 40 high schools throughout Virginia. VCAC was the model for the National College Advising Corps, now a cohort of 17 national universities using recent undergraduate alumni to encourage students to pursue higher education. Since the program’s inception in 2005, VCAC has served more than 94,000 students and helped over 8,000 students enroll in post-secondary institutions. In the Commonwealth, while almost 80% of people ages 18-24 earn a high school diploma, only 53% move on to attend college directly after high school. Therefore, the purpose of each College Adviser is to increase the college-going rates for first generation, low income, and under-represented high school students in their respective communities. The College Advisers make the perfect advocate and “near-peer” adviser because they have just graduated from college, while also not being far removed from a high school environment.

The Adviser works with guidance counselors, teachers, administration, and other community members to make higher education more available and affordable for every student. They host a variety of events such as college information nights, financial aid workshops, college representative visits, among many other things. Advisers will also meet with students individually to discuss college options, conduct college searches, complete college applications, prepare and register for the SAT/ACT/PSAT, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), apply for scholarships, and help the student understand their financial aid award packages. While each Adviser’s role varies in their specific school, they will each work with students to aid them in the college planning and application process to ensure that they find the best school for them!