Alumni Programs

College Access Resources

In operation since 1989, Futures is the largest and most established such organization in the city. It has several programs, but the two biggest are Sponsor-A-Scholar and College Connection.

Futures also administers this program, which offers financial resources for high school girls living in low-income Philadelphia homes where parents are absent or disabled. Prospective students must have Cs or higher in major academic subjects and be on track to graduate. If they attend parochial or independent schools, they get tuition assistance; in public schools, they get money for expenses such as uniforms and school supplies, as well as access to programming, including the Women in Natural Sciences program at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

In operation in Philadelphia since 1995, the organization started as SummerBridge at Germantown Friends School. It has expanded to include students from all over the city.

• Who can apply? Any 6th grader in a Philadelphia District, charter, independent or parochial school. Last year, Breakthrough students came from about 36 schools, most in West and Northwest Philadelphia, where the program has so far concentrated recruitment efforts. But executive director Robbin Washington-Smart says Breakthrough wants to cast its net widely. “We do not rule out any middle school students in Philadelphia.” Students can reach out directly and so can school personnel, “anybody who has access to 6th graders and wants to help them with options.” She specifically mentioned community organizations and places of worship.

• What are the criteria? The application is comprehensive and involves both the student and the family. It is designed to “understand the student’s commitment to a future as a college graduate, their level of preparation, their personal mission, and where they stand at school.” Washington-Smart described it as a “partnership” with the student and family. An educator recommendation is also required. There is no income cutoff or requirement that the student is the first in his or her family to attend college, but those students are given preference.

• What are the benefits? Breakthrough specifically helps middle schoolers find and apply to good city high schools, both District schools with admissions requirements and charter schools. Once the student is in high school, Breakthrough provides monthly meetings about grades, tutoring, and SAT preparation. The students also form a community with like-minded students who are excited about learning and gain access to college-student mentors and academic coaches.

• What must you do? Attend a six-week summer program and Saturday programming during the year. Those are held at two locations: Drexel University in West Philadelphia and Germantown Friends School in Northwest Philadelphia. For the first time, this summer students took day trips to Swarthmore’s campus for courses on applying to college.

In operation since 2014 in Philadelphia, this program started in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2000 and is now in six cities. AmeriCorps members, many of them first-generation college students themselves, coach low-income students, helping them navigate the college journey.

• Who can apply?  Sophomores in the five Philadelphia high schools where the program is located: George Washington, Murrell Dobbins CTE, Parkway Center City, and West Philadelphia, and Jules E. Mastbaum CTE.

• What are the criteria? Philadelphia executive director Wyneshia Foxworth said the program is looking for students “in the academic middle” who are not likely to get the guidance they need to prepare for, apply to, and succeed in college. Like the other programs, it seeks motivated students who “see a future for themselves.”

• What are the benefits? Individual mentoring and coaching from AmeriCorps members, SAT and ACT prep, college visits, and support while in college.

• What must you do? Attend twice-weekly afterschool sessions, maintain good grades and behavior, and apply to college.

Created in 2001 by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the selective program offers academic enrichment courses throughout high school, a personal college counselor, and opportunities to apply for internships and trips to study abroad.

• Who can apply? Students entering 8th grade with mostly As in core academic subjects whose household family income is below $95,000 a year.

• What are the criteria? Applying students must have one English and one math teacher write them a recommendation for the program. The application is an online process requiring students to submit report cards, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and an essay.

• What are the benefits? Students are mentored by a college and academic counselor and meet with the counselor individually. Supports for each student are tailored to his or her needs and interests. They will probably participate in academic enrichment programs in the summer and on weekends and receive a computer if needed, and they can apply for internships and study abroad trips through the program. Nearly two-thirds of participating students have studied abroad, and one-third have participated in internships.