New College Guidebook Uniquely Targeted to First-Generation, Low-Income, and Minority College-Bound Students
Guidebook highlights more than 225 colleges and universities committed to college access and retention of underserved populations

October 8, 2008 — Bethesda, MD — Center for Student Opportunity announced today the release of the inaugural College Access & Opportunity Guide — a comprehensive college guidebook dedicated to promoting college opportunity for the traditionally underserved. The first of its kind, the College Access & Opportunity Guide highlights more than 225 colleges and universities offering college access and retention programs for first-generation, low-income, and minority college-bound students.

“Increasingly, colleges and universities are placing an emphasis on outreach initiatives, financial aid programs, and student support services. Yet, students, their families, and even counselors and community leaders are not always fully aware of the array of college opportunity that exists for them,” said Matt Rubinoff, Executive Director of Center for Student Opportunity. “The College Access & Opportunity Guide fills this void by providing students with guidance through the college process and delivering easy-to-read information on strong college programs aimed to serve students like them.”

Colleges and universities in the College Access & Opportunity Guide were selected for inclusion by a national independent advisory committee of college presidents and chief administrators, college access and community-based organization leaders, and higher education association officials. The Guide highlights specific programs and services offered by each institution in three categories:

• Access – Community outreach initiatives serving pre-college students with academic enrichment, mentoring, college preparation, and college guidance
  e.g. Harvard University’s (MA) Crimson Summer Academy offers high school
  students a taste of college life over three consecutive summers including classes,
  projects, field trips, and recreational activities. Upon completion of the three-year
  program, students are awarded a $3,000 scholarship for use at the college of their
  choice.

• Opportunity – Financial assistance (scholarships, financial aid incentives), informational (open houses, fly-in programs), and acceptance (conditional admissions) programs
  e.g. Berea College (KY) serves a unique mission to only enroll students of limited
  financial resources, and toward this end provides all students a full-tuition
  scholarship.

• Success – Academic assistance, student support services, and retention initiatives geared to help students persist to graduation
  e.g. Baldwin-Wallace College (OH) provides a comprehensive residential program for
  single parents to pursue a college education through the Single Parents Reaching
  Out for Unassisted Tomorrows (SPROUT).

The College Access & Opportunity Guide also includes information, articles, and stories developed in collaboration with KnowHow2GO — a national college access campaign created in partnership with Lumina Foundation for Education, American Council on Education, and the Ad Council — providing a plan for first-generation and other underrepresented students to take four steps necessary to go to college.

Center for Student Opportunity, in conjunction with the schools featured in the Guide and partner foundations and associations, is aiming to distribute over 100,000 copies of the College Access & Opportunity Guide for free to high schools and community organizations nationwide. The book also is available for sale through Center for Student Opportunity’s website (www.CSOpportunity.org) and other national booksellers.