Overview
For more than 30 years, the CollegeBound Foundation has helped Baltimore City students realize their dreams of a college education. CollegeBound works exclusively in Baltimore City public schools using a nationally-recognized college advising model that has transformed the lives of more than 67,000 students. Today, CollegeBound operates on-site in 21 Baltimore City public high schools, providing full-time college advisors, delivering need-based funding through “Last Dollar Grants,” and administering an annual scholarship portfolio valued at $3 million. Over 600 Baltimore City public school graduates pursuing a college degree are currently supported through CollegeBound’s scholarships, grants, and college completion initiatives.
Impact of CollegeBound’s Efforts Since 1988
- Leveraged over $61.8 million in financial aid for Last Dollar Grant recipients.
- Assisted over 96,816 students one-on-one completing college applications and finding funds to attend college.
- Provided an overview of the college access process to over 313,444 students through group presentations.
- Awarded over $7.2 million dollars in Last Dollar Grants to 2,256 scholars.
CollegeBound’s Model
1) CollegeBound College Access Program Specialists
CollegeBound College Access Program Specialists (CAPS) are high-school based advisors who work directly with students year-round. CAPS are experts in both college admissions and financial aid, delivering a comprehensive suite of college access services identified by the National College Access Network as requisite pre-college experiences.
2) CollegeBound Scholarships and Need-Based Last Dollar Grants
CollegeBound manages over 275 privately-funded college scholarships valued over $4 million. Our “no scholarship management fee” policy means that 100% of each donor’s contribution is applied to each scholarship. CollegeBound also awards over 200 need-based College Completion Program awards each year to Baltimore City public school graduates attending 4-year colleges. Each grantee is eligible for up to $3,000 for up to 6 years in college.
3) CollegeBound City-Wide Seminars
CollegeBound hosts two city-wide, free college access events for Baltimore City public school students and families each spring: the Success Seminar for 8th Graders at Johns Hopkins University in May and the Rising Senior Seminar at Morgan State University in June.
4) CollegeBound College Success Program
The CollegeBound College Completion Program (CCP) is a multi-year support network comprising campus liaisons, professional mentors, and CollegeBound staff who are dedicated to guiding Baltimore City public school graduates through college. Students receive funding through one of a few ways: the Last Dollar Grant program, the Nam-Macgill Book Awards, the Bishop Miles Last Dollar Grant or other private scholarship providers who have paid an additional amount to have their scholars participate in CCP.
Now in its 7th year, CCP’s funding, wraparound services and continual support are making a significant difference in the college graduation rate of Baltimore City public school graduates. Our most recent graduating cohort, who matriculated in 2020, are on-track for a six-year graduation rate of 71%. These rates are nearly double the college graduation rate of Baltimore City public school graduates attending a 4-year college. By comparison, the Baltimore City six-year graduation rate for African American Students starting at 4-year colleges is between 23-28% (data provided by 2014, BERC Baltimore City Public Schools College Fact Book).
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