College Access

Take your service to the next college 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 adding College Prep, SAT Prep, Financial Aid Assistance, and/or Teen Education to your Interests, then sign up for an upcoming info session.

 

Update Interests Find an Info Session
a
Group of volunteers tutoring students

College Prep

Guide 12th graders through the college application process and help them narrow down college choices, complete applications, craft personal statements, secure letters of recommendation and learn about college life.

Program Details:

  • Runs weekly between late September to mid-December across 7-10 sessions
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings
  • Requirements: Complete online training and attend a 1.5 hour in-person workshop

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 across two terms between October through mid-April, for 18-20 sessions
    • Fall Term: October through mid-December
    • Spring Term: Mid-February to late April
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings
  • Requirements: Complete a background check, online training, and attend a 1.5 hour in-person workshop

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!

 

Fall Term: Volunteer on 1-3 one-off, 3-hour projects, November through mid-December

  • Requirements: Complete online training and attend 3 virtual training workshops
     
    • FAFSA Completion Part 1, Oct 1, 2025, 6PM - 7:30PM
    • FAFSA Completion Part 2, Oct 8, 2025, 6PM - 7:30PM
    • NYS TAP Completion, Oct 15, 2025, 6PM - 7:30PM

Spring Term: Volunteer on 1-3 one-off, 3-hour projects, March through April

  • Requirements: Complete online training (if not previously completed in the Fall) and attend 1 virtual training workshop
    • Financial Aid Offer Review, Feb 25, 2026, 6PM - 7:30PM

Teen Education

Help NYC public high school students build their foundational skills in Math and English. Our Spring Teen Education programs are designed to provide small-group tutoring, which helps students excel in their core classes. Volunteer at schools and community centers to empower hundreds of students to improve their academic performance in literacy and math. 

Join us in the spring as we help students get a jump-start on making their dreams a reality.

Program Details:

  • Runs weekly March - June
  • Weekday evenings (usually 6-8 PM) or Saturday mornings (usually 10 AM-12 PM)
  • Requirements: Attend a virtual Q&A session and complete online training

Questions?

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