CollegeBound College Completion Program
The 2025-26 College Completion Application opens on December 1, 2024.
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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CollegeBound College Completion Advisors:
- Help students develop degree plans that meet their short-term and long-term educational and career objectives.
- Provide academic and personal guidance/advising and referral services to students.
- Assist students with FAFSA and Maryland One-App completion, verification, and financial aid.
- Connect students with college campus agencies that best support student needs.
College Completion Program Yearly Events:
July – Transition to College Overnight Retreat: CollegeBound hosts a two-night, three-day event on a local college campus to welcome new freshmen to the program. The retreat is an opportunity to experience college life before the school year begins, and includes a wide range of workshops, social events, and activities. The Transition to College Retreat also hires current CCP upperclassmen as Resident Advisors to share their experience and meet incoming students before the semester even begins.
January – Winter Workshops: We host multi–day, conference style workshops for all college levels. Winter Workshops focus on academic and pre-professional skills to prepare students for the workplace. We also offer networking opportunities and build momentum to help students finish the school year strong!
June – End-of-Year Event: We bring all of our scholars together to reconnect and celebrate the wins from the past school year. This event includes recognition of our most recent graduates, who join our growing network of CollegeBound alumni.
Additional Opportunities:
CCP Professional Mentor Program: Rising college juniors, seniors, and 5th year students are matched with a volunteer mentor based on common academic interests, professional goals, or personal values. All volunteer mentors will receive training from the College Success Team. Applications to be a mentor or mentee for the 2025-26 school year will open in spring 2025!
CCP Strategic Partnerships Program: CollegeBound’s Strategic Partnerships team offers career development opportunities, with the goal of placing eligible CCP students in high-quality paid summer internships. CCP advisors work closely alongside CCP students and the Strategic Partnerships staff to help students prepare for the rigors of internships. Several participating students have successfully transitioned their internships into full-time positions after college.
Summer and Winter Funding: CCP students are eligible to apply for additional scholarships for summer and winter courses that are otherwise not covered by financial aid packages. These courses can offer important opportunities for credit recovery and academic advancement.
College Completion Program Eligibility:
- Must be a 2025 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 $3,000 from billed expenses, the student must provide documentation detailing how the gap will be financed.
- Be accepted to and attend a four-year college/university.
To have been considered for the College Completion Program, you must submit the following supporting documents by June 15st, 2025:
- 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 (go to www.mhec.state.md.us or call 410-260-4500 for a copy).
- Unofficial senior year high school transcript.