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.

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Group of volunteers tutoring students

Teen Education

We need your support in helping 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

College Prep

Guide high school seniors through the college application process and help them prepare robust applications – complete with personal statements, letters of recommendation, and more.

Program Details:

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

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 October 2024 through March/April 2025
  • Weekday evenings or Saturday mornings 
  • Requirements: Complete a background check, attend a virtual Q&A session, and complete online training

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 participate but need more flexible shifts, this may be the program for you! 

Register for an FAA Program

Questions?

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