College Access Plan

CAP's College Champions program is a youth leadership and peer mentoring opportunity for first-generation, low-income, undocumented, and BIPOC high school seniors that empowers students to enter the college process as confident leaders by serving as a reliable resource within their school communities. CAP’s hometown of Pasadena/Altadena was recently ravaged by the Eaton Fire, and the College Champions expand our efforts to ensure all PUSD students receive the college readiness support they need in this time of incredible uncertainty and loss.

90% of students who complete financial aid applications enroll in a postsecondary institution upon high school graduation versus 50% of their non-completing peers. Our community collaborative aims to creatively achieve 100% FAFSA/California Dream Act application completion for all eligible Pasadena Unified 12th graders to increase college matriculation among underrepresented groups in our diverse community.

CAP offers easy-to-access college readiness support through dynamic drop-in advisement that meets individual needs; prioritizes student-driven relationships; and is open to all regardless of grades, ability to attend, or immigration status. This grant will support CAP’s existing programs at six traditional and alternative high schools in PUSD with the goal of increasing the college-going rate from 72% to 90% in the next decade through increased student and family access to application support, test prep, financial aid guidance, and more.