National College Advising Corps

Launched in 2005, with 14 advisers serving 2,500 students in Virginia, cac has now helped over 825,000 students nationwide to enroll in 2- and 4-year postsecondary education programs immediately after graduation. To date, cac advisers have helped these students secure $2 billion in postsecondary financial aid, including scholarships. The result of this student success is an estimated $4 billion in lifetime earnings from u.s. College graduates advised by cac.

In academic year 2021-22, partnering with 33 colleges and universities, over 840 cac advisers worked in 750 high schools in 19 states, helping more than 200,000 high school seniors pursue a better life and economic mobility through education beyond high school. Of students served, 84% were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Two-thirds were from urban communities while the other one third were from rural areas. Student demographics included: 39% black or african-american; 30% white, non-hispanic; 23% hispanic or latinx; 4% asian or pacific islander; 3% multi-or biracial; and 1% native american or Alaskan native. Last year, cac advisers helped these high school graduates to secure over $900 million in scholarships and student aid.

Cac is different from other College access organizations. Cac believes that educational equity means that 100% of high school students deserve personalized guidance so they can identify their best career path. Cac provides whole-school, wrap-around College and career services to all students and their families even before senior year, rather than focusing on a small cohort of top-performing, college-bound seniors. Cac's "best match/best fit" model meets students where they are, helping them to identify and matriculate at institutions that represent a good academic match and a good financial, social, and cultural fit, so they are well prepared to persist and graduate with minimal debt. Roughly 80% of the seniors cac serves graduate from high school. On average, 50% of these students will enroll in a 4-year baccalaureate program, a 2-year associate's program, or a trade certification program by the fall after graduation. Others will join the military or choose similar educational paths in subsequent years.