What We Do

Overview

Overview

For more than 35 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 4 Baltimore City middle schools, 12 Baltimore City public high schools and 4 community-based organizations, providing full-time college advisors, delivering need-based funding through “Last Dollar Grants,” and administering an annual scholarship portfolio valued at $4 million. Over 1000 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 245 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 $5,000 for up to 6 years in college. 82% of our 2025 College Completion Program scholars were CollegeBound advised.

3) CollegeBound City-Wide Seminars
CollegeBound hosts two city-wide, free college access events for Baltimore City public school students and families each spring: Ignite! A rising 9th grade seminar in May and Launch! A Rising Junior and Senior seminar 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 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 CCP students are all Baltimore City school graduates and federal Pell Grant recipients. 71% of students in this program have graduated or are on track to graduate, which is the same rate as the public, four-year college graduation rate across all income levels. By comparison, the Baltimore City schools graduates’ college graduation rate is 28%, the Maryland public college graduation rate for Pell grant students is 58%, and the national graduation rate for Pell Grant students is 53%.