College Possible

College Possible Chicago makes college admission and graduation a reality for students from Chicago’s under-resourced communities through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. For over 20 years, College Possible has been at the forefront of college access and success work, helping expand equitable opportunities through education in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Wisconsin, Omaha, Portland, Philadelphia, Washington and Texas. College Possible Chicago launched in 2015 and, since then, has grown to support more than 2,000 high school and college students from over 50 different zip codes in Chicago. All students in the program come from low-income backgrounds, approximately 90% identify as students of color, and many will be the first in their family to attend college.

College Possible Chicago’s 6+ year program, at no cost to students or families, begins fall of students’ junior year of high school and continues until college graduation. Students are paired with a dedicated mentor who guides them in five core areas: (1) college exposure and match/fit; (2) college and scholarship applications; (3) financial aid; (4) college enrollment and transition; (5) graduation and career preparation. The organization supports students through academic, social, and financial challenges they face along their journey to college graduation for 6+ years, even during brief periods of unenrollment. Through a proven curriculum and coaching model, College Possible Chicago is working to achieve a future where a student’s path to and through college is determined solely by their talent, motivation, and effort—not their income.