College Forward


	College Forward students have been accepted to 125 different colleges and universities this year!

Programs & Services - Goals & Objectives

Students at our partner high schools who want to earn four-year college degrees are invited to apply for the College Forward program if they are in the top 60% of their class and either qualify for the National School Lunch Program or will be the first in their family to graduate from college. Students who do not meet these exact qualifications may seek nomination by a high school counselor or teacher. Our application includes a questionnaire, a personal interview, a short essay, two recommendations, and signed parent consent forms.

“In these times it is very hard to find work if you haven’t studied and that is why this program is so impor-tant. They are learning more than what they are learning in the school. It’s a great help and we are very grateful.”

—College Forward Parent

Completed applications are reviewed in the early fall by College Forward staff members, who decide which applicants are most likely to benefit from the program.
Accepted students are required to attend twice-weekly after-school classes (three hours per week), participate in occasional evening or weekend workshops, and perform 20 hours of community service each year of high school.

Parents or guardians of admitted students must agree to attend one Saturday workshop during their student's junior and senior years of high school.

The College Forward program is based on a curriculum that meets the needs of our students and their family with comprehensive information about all aspects of college application and financial aid. Students also benefit from opportunities to attend essay workshops, ACT & SAT prep, College visits, and opportunities to interact with college professionals. We also offer frequent workshops, college visits, and interaction with current college faculty, staff and students.

I love the small classes with one-on-one interaction.

—Hays High School Student

The high school curriculum is broadly divided into four phases:

I	Junior Year: Fall	• College exploration • Introduction to college options • “Optimum Match,” selection of ten schools for initial research
II	Junior year: Spring	• Preparation for college entrance examinations • Selection of six colleges for in-depth research • Submission of three scholarship applications
III	Senior Year: Fall	• Final selection of six colleges • Application completion and submission • Submission of seven scholarship applications
IV	Senior Year: Spring	• FAFSA submission • College retention strategies and study skills • Financial literacy • Evaluation of college acceptances and financial aid awards