ACCESS College Foundation

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nerously Supported BySe

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tara HealthWho

We Are:The A

CCESS College Foundation is aprivately funded, nonprofit organization with a unique continuum of collegeaccess and success services that provide students from low- to moderate-incomeand historically oppressed racial and ethnic populations with the path to attendand complete higher education. The ACCESS Program begins serving students in the seventh grade and continues throughouthigh school and postsecondary education. The ACCESS Program culminates with its Scholars graduating from their certification ordegree program and entering the workforce in their desired professions. At ACCESS, our mission is to provideeducational pathways leading to certification or college degree attainment andcareer opportunities for students, particularly those who may not otherwisehave access. ACCESS fulfills itsmission by:Ensuringlow- to

• moderate-income middle school students are well-informed about theiroptions regarding postsecondary education.Providinghigh scho
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• l students with preparation, guidance, and the financial assistanceneeded to make postsecondary education a reality.Supportingstudents wh
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• le they pursue their certification or degree to help them stay inschool and graduate or complete their program.Assisting graduates infi
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• ding a career in Hampton Roads.Since 1988, ACCESS has ass
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sted more than 85,000 public school students with enrolling incollege and helped secure $871 million inscholarships and financial aid for these students.  Additionally, ACCESS has awarded over $16 million in our “Last-Dollar”Scholarships, bridging the gap between the amount of financial assistancereceived and the actual cost of attending college.  For every $1 spent on program services, ACCESS leverages $12 in financial aid and scholarships for students.  With the help of their Advisors, ACCESS Scholars stay in school with four-year Scholar retention/graduation rates of 95% and minimize theirfour-year undergraduate student loan debt to 37%of what other students around the country accumulate in four years ofundergraduate education.  Our vision isthat every desiring student in South Hampton Roads and Northampton County, VA,are given the opportunity to optimize their lives through the attainment ofhigher education.Our StudentCommunity:The ACCESS stude

ntcommunity includes s

tudents from six public-school districts in South HamptonRoads and Northampton County, Virginia, and postsecondary education studentsfrom the same regions.  Our studentcommunity is predominantly low- to moderate-income, historically oppressedracial and ethnic groups, and first-generation college populations. Each ofthese shared identities make them less likely to enroll in and complete acertification/degree program.  Thesestudents need additional support and resources throughout middle and highschool, and while enrolled in a certification or degree program to gain theskills required to graduate and achieve successful workforce entry in a skilledprofession.  Currently 71% our ACCESS’student community is considered low- to moderate-income.The ACCESS Program:Public school districts in Chesa

peake, Norfolk, Ports

mouth, Suffolk, VirginiaBeach and Northampton County, Virginia, have partnered with ACCESS to ensurethat students receive the education they need to qualify for a postsecondaryeducational program and the financial resources they need to get them there.  ACCESS has placed Advisors in 28 high-needpublic middle schools and 30 public high schools within our partnered schooldistricts.  In addition, we partner with14 Virginia colleges/universities to provide services to our Scholars in personon campus.  Our exclusive presence withinthese public schools and higher education institutions allows us to servestudents like no other organization in the region.ACCESS provides vital college access and success services to o

ur studentcommunity through the following programs:TheACCESS Middle School Program succeeds in giving 7th and 8th gr

a
• ders a headstart in understanding the necessary steps involved in attaining apostsecondary degree. Advisors provide workshops and advising sessions ontopics that include, but are not limited to, future goals, career choices,educational opportunities after high school, financial aid literacy, and how toconnect education and career.  ACCESSoffers these services for large groups, small groups, and one-on-one forstudents and parents at 28 middle schools. ACCESS hosts “Family Night” events for middle schools and disseminatesnewsletters throughout the school year to provide families with additionalopportunities to learn about postsecondary education. Student and parentparticipation in middle school activities fosters a better understanding of thevalue, steps, and resources available in attaining a postsecondary education.TheACCESS 9th & 10th Grade Program assists 9th and 10th graders withdevelop
  
  
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• ng a personal educational plan to keep themselves on track for highschool graduati…
  
  
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