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CollegeBound College Completion Program

Application Opens December 1, 2025 for the 2026–27 Academic Year

The CollegeBound College Completion Program (CCP) is a multi-year support network designed to meet students’ academic, financial, and socio-emotional needs. CCP supports Baltimore City public school graduates as they navigate college, offering personalized advising, financial assistance, and enrichment opportunities.

Since its launch in 2017 with just 44 students, CCP has grown significantly. Today, more than 245 Baltimore City high school graduates join the program annually—representing 25% of the city’s four-year college-going population.

Now in its 9th 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 first two cohorts have 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).

Student Support Structure

Each CCP student is paired with a dedicated College Completion Advisor who provides:

  • Intrusive advising through in-person meetings, phone calls, texts, and video check-ins.
  • Degree planning aligned with academic and career goals.
  • FAFSA and Maryland One-App support, including verification and financial aid guidance.
  • Referrals to campus resources and support services.

We also partner with colleges to secure designated representatives in financial aid and retention, helping students overcome institutional barriers.

Funding Opportunities

  • Students receive either a competitive scholarship or need based grants between $500 and $5,000, grant varies based on what CollegeBound determines as the individual student need.
  • Additional scholarships are available for summer and winter courses, supporting credit recovery and academic advancement.
  • Student Opportunities
  • Emergency Funding

Program Events & Enrichment

  • College Completion Retreat (July)
    • A 3-day, 2-night retreat at a local college campus kicks off the program. Students engage in workshops, community-building events, and meet peers, CollegeBound staff, and college representatives. Upperclassmen serve as Resident Advisors.
  • College Welcome Sessions
    • Designed to foster belonging and build connections among students, CollegeBound staff, and college personnel.
  • Winter Conferences (January)
    • Students choose one of four days to attend enrichment and skill-building workshops focused on academic and pre-professional development.
  • Cultural Events
    • At least two events annually broaden students’ exposure and experiences.
  • Workforce Site Visits
    • Three visits per year allow students to explore career pathways and professional environments.
  • Welcome sessions (Fall)
    • We host welcome sessions for our College Completion students at local colleges. These events connect first-year students with College Completion Program upperclassmen in a fun, supportive environment.

Additional Opportunities

  • Professional Mentor Program
  • Rising juniors, seniors, and fifth-year students are matched with trained volunteer mentors based on shared academic interests, career goals, or personal values. Applications for the 2025–26 school year open in Spring 2025.
  • Strategic Partnerships Program
    • CollegeBound’s Strategic Partnerships team connects students to high-quality paid summer internships. Advisors and staff prepare students for internship success, with many transitioning into full-time roles post-graduation.

College Completion Program Eligibility:

  • Must be a 2026 graduate of a Baltimore City public high school.
  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be eligible to receive a Pell Grant or MSFAA.
  • If the unmet need is more than $5,000 from billed expenses, the student must provide documentation detailing how the gap will be financed.
  • Be accepted to and attend full-time to a four-year college/university or Community College of Baltimore County.

To have been considered for the College Completion Program, you must submit the following supporting documents by June 1st, 2026:

  • FAFSA submission summary (for a copy, go to https://studentaid.gov/ or call 1-800-4-FED-AID / 1-800-433-3243) or a copy of MSFAA eligibility.
  • Financial Aid Award Offer (FAAO) from the college/university you will attend.
  • Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Notification Letter if attending Maryland institution (Login to MDCAPS or call 410-260-4500 for a copy).
  • Unofficial high school transcript.

Where Our Students Attend College

  • Most CCP students attend 23 in-state colleges, but we also support students at 29 out-of-state institutions.

Click here to view our partner colleges and find the College Completion Advisor assigned to your college