5 Ways to Remove Barriers and Increase Access

The goal of college and career readiness (CCR) programs is to ensure that all students have the opportunities, time, and resources to explore the full range of postsecondary options, find the best fit, and develop skills, complete coursework, and gain experiences to be successful in that next step after graduation. Over the past decade, schools and districts have prioritized this with systematic efforts to ensure all students have personalized learning plans, wide-scale utilization of CCR platforms, user-friendly access to financial aid materials, and the expansion of career-centered learning programs. 

Despite this work, there are still disparities in access and opportunity for students. The reality is that many pieces of critical CCR processes are impacted by the kinds of support families are able to provide their students. The impacts can range from limiting a student’s ability to complete requirements to shifting what students see as possible for their future. School counselors, administrators, and CTE educators can use the tips below to expand awareness of what resources and supports are available and help students overcome barriers to entry for a range of CCR experiences. 

1. Make Information about Financial Aid and other Scholarships Available Starting Freshman Year: Too many students and families assume that college is out of reach simply because of the financial burdens that come with it. However, there are a wide variety of financial assistance resources–including grants and scholarships from federal and state governments, philanthropic organizations and nonprofits, and the colleges and universities themselves–many of which are specifically intended to support students from under-resourced or typically under-served communities. Questbridge is a national nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with full scholarships to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities. This scholarship includes all costs, including tuition, room and board, books, and transportation, along with a network of mentors and peers. Helping students and families recognize that these options do exist early in a student’s high school career shifts their understanding of what is possible for their postsecondary next steps. Communicating that there is financial support available allows students to understand the requirements needed to apply for different options and make decisions during the four years of high school to ensure their college readiness upon graduation. 

2. Connect Students with Internships or Other Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Internships and work-based learning roles offer students unmatched opportunities to gain real-world skills and connect with professionals and mentors in fields students are interested in pursuing. And these opportunities benefit students on all CCR pathways. Many students rely on connections from friends and family to find and secure these roles. Students who do not have family members in fields of interest or professional roles can be left out of these powerful high school learning experiences. Creating connections with local businesses for internship opportunities and opening access to all students can be a critical step to providing more equitable CCR opportunities for the entire student body. 

3. Hold a Clothing Drive for Professional Clothing: Many critical components of the college and career readiness process require students to wear business attire; it is essential that students are dressed appropriately for interviews for jobs, scholarships, and college admissions (for some schools). Many students, however, do not already own this professional clothing, which can be incredibly expensive to purchase. Counselors might consider holding a professional clothing drive for new or gently used business attire and offer access to students who might benefit from these clothes. Making sure to be inclusive of sizes will ensure that all students can find what they need. 

4. Find Support for College and Testing Application Fees: The process just to be eligible for college has real and cumulative financial costs. College applications can range from $30 to $100, depending on the school. Taking standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT, also have fees anywhere from $60 to over $90. Counselors often recommend that students apply to multiple schools to increase options for admission and improve student leverage for negotiating financial aid packages. These fees add up and, for some students and families, are prohibitive. Finding school, district, or local support to cover the costs for students in need can relieve this financial stress from students and expand access to college options. Some school districts have created SAT or ACT days–funded by the district–where all students are able to take the test at school during a school day, free of charge. This ensures that students have transportation to the testing site and removes any stigma for needing additional financial help. 

5. Do Not Assume Prior Knowledge or Experience: The college and career landscapes have dramatically changed in just the past decade. Digital applications, Zoom interviews, and industry certifications were not part of the typical high school experience for today’s parents and caregivers. And with expansions in college readiness curriculum and avenues for financial assistance, many students whose parents were unable to attend college are now proudly the first generation in their family to matriculate to a four-year university. It is critical that counselors and educators keep this context in mind as they design systems of support. Providing easy-to-understand guidance on different steps, reminders of critical deadlines, announcements for opportunities through different modalities, translations in home languages, and utilizing parent mentors can be powerful steps to remove barriers and increase access for a large cross section of students. 

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