College Access

Take your service to the next degree

In high-income NYC neighborhoods, as many as 85% of adults hold bachelor's degrees. In lower-income areas, that number is as low as 7%. Our College Access programs work to eliminate the education equity gap by pairing NYC students with trained volunteer tutors and mentors.

Learn more about our College Access programs by:

  1.  Adding College Prep, SAT Prep, and/or Financial Aid Assistance to your Interests
  2. Joining an info session
  3. Attending an upcoming training session.

Recruitment is now open for the 2026-2027 school year.

Update Interests Join an Info Session Attend a Training
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Group of volunteers tutoring students

College Prep

Guide 12th graders through curated workshops about the college application process. Help them narrow down college choices, completing applications, crafting personal statements, securing letters of recommendation and learning about college life. 

Program Details:

  • Runs weekly between late September to December across 5-7 sessions
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings
  • Requirements: Complete a training, either on-demand or at a live virtual session in August

SAT Prep

Tutor high school students in math or English to help them build confidence in test-taking skills, raise their SAT scores, and get into college.

Program Details:

  • Runs weekly between October to March across 17-20 sessions
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings
  • Requirements: Complete a background check and a training, either on-demand or at a live virtual session in August

Financial Aid Assistance (FAA)

Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CSS Profile are crucial steps for teens and their families striving to make attending college a reality despite financial challenges. 

Through the Financial Aid Assistance Program, volunteers help families at schools and community centers throughout New York City complete their financial aid applications in the Fall and then evaluate the subsequent financial aid packages they receive from colleges in the spring.

If you'd like to join College Access but need more flexibility, this may be the program for you!

 

Program Details:

  • Runs in one-off sessions between late October to April, across a Fall and Spring semester
    • Volunteer on three or more sessions per semester
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings
  • Requirements:
    • Complete an on-demand training
    • Attend virtual training workshops each semester
      • Fall
        • FAFSA Completion Part 1, Oct 7, 2026, 6PM - 7:30PM
        • FAFSA Completion Part 2, Oct 14, 2026, 6PM - 7:30PM
        • NYS TAP Completion, Oct 21, 2026, 6PM - 7:30PM
      • Spring
        • Financial Aid Offer Review, Feb 10, 2027, 6PM - 7:30PM

 

Workshop sign up will be available in the late summer.

Questions?

Visit our Help Center or email info@newyorkcares.org.