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College Access Now 

Description

CAN’s programs are designed to eliminate barriers to accessing and completing college, end the cycle of generational poverty and enrich our communities with a diverse and educated workforce. We serve low-income students who are the first in their families to attend college. Almost all are students of color and 74% of students live in “non-English-speaking” homes. CAN’s goal is to increase the number of low-income, first generation college bound students graduating with a college degree.  

Mission Statement
College Access Now is dedicated to making college admissions and college completion possible for talented, motivated and economically disadvantaged students.
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College Access Now
1700 21st Ave S Ste 201 
Seattle 
WA
98144 
(206) 400-6886 x101 

Susan Mitchell 
Executive Director 

Programs

College Access Now Programs

CAN currently serves students at Garfield, Franklin, Nathan Hale, Roosevelt, Chief Sealth and West Seattle public high schools in Seattle. In addition to our college acceptance and persistance program, CAN also works to increase the school-wide college-going culture of the schools it serves. CAN participates in school-wide financial aid forums and PTSA college nights. CAN provides ad hoc direct support to additional students who drop into CAN’s offices at the schools to request help with the college application process and to students in other programs who join CAN students for test preparation sessions.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

CAN has grown from a grassroots organization serving 30 high school seniors in one Seattle public high school to today serving 480 students in six high schools and 150 students in colleges throughout the country.  Since our inception, 99% of the 500 CAN students served have been admitted to college.

One of the many examples of CAN’s success is the story of Thang, CAN class of 2012. As a Vietnamese immigrant, he struggled to learn English and American culture. He continued to persevere through English Language Learning classes and AP classes – and with CAN’s help - was accepted to every one of the six colleges he applied to. He is currently attending the University of Washington, on multiple scholarships. Thang states, “CAN helped with more than just the mechanics; I built a really good connection I can rely on. There is no one out there doing this with students.” 

CAN’s greatest organizational need is the capacity to expand its College Persistence Program. CAN has informally followed and supported all of our alumni through their college careers. And while our students have graduated college at a significantly higher rate than their peers across the nation, research highlights the need for continued support through college. Continuing to diversify our funding sources will strengthen our capacity to meet this critical need on the continuum of support for economically disadvantaged students.

Evaluation


Initially conceived as an afterschool program to help students complete college admissions and financial aid applications, College Access Now (CAN) has evolved into a more robust support program that helps students—most of whom are low-income and first generation—perceive themselves as college material, navigate the college application process, and secure funding for post-secondary education.

Proven Success
Every year, 100% of CAN seniors have been admitted to at least one college and completed their federal financial aid application. For the past two years, more than 90% of CAN students have enrolled in college immediately after high school—a sharp contrast to the state average of 48%.

CAN’s programming model has adapted to meet the needs of students and now includes college persistence support. More than 80% of recent CAN seniors remain enrolled in college.

Collaboration
CAN has built strong partnerships with leaders and staff at its three partner high-schools. Each school provides space and infrastructure (e.g. phone) for CAN staff and provides access to and referral of students. CAN also partners with the schools’ PTSAs to promote school-wide college prep support through college information events. Through its College Persistence Program, Can has built relationships with college administrators on the campuses where many CAN students matriculate to continue support beyond high school graduation.

Accessibility
CAN's students represent a very broad range of racial/ethnic backgrounds. More 99% of students served are students of color and 57% speak a language other than English at home. All students come from low income families and 88% qualify for free and reduced lunch at school.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
6/10/2011 $5,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/10/2009 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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