Center for Student Opportunity (CSO) is mobilizing a national network of professional college counselors to increase and improve college preparation and guidance for the traditionally underserved.

The new College Counseling Outreach Initiative (CCOI) supports college counselors, enrollment professionals, and retirees alike to volunteer their time in partnership with community-based organizations and schools to serve students who most need assistance through the college process.

With a volunteer's commitment to the program, CSO will:

• Research, identify, and place the volunteer with a community-based youth organization or under-resourced school in their area
  
• Supply the College Counseling Outreach volunteer curriculum
  
• Provide additional resources and support, such as assistance in setting up college visits for students

Volunteers commit to a series of volunteer sessions guided by the College Counseling Outreach curriculum with accompanying worksheets and activities provided to each volunteer partnership. Models are in development to serve elementary/middle school students, early high school, and late high school students.

We encourage high school college counselors, enrollment professionals, and retirees alike to volunteer.

Download the CCOI Volunteer Application

View current and past Counseling Outreach partnerships

View CSO/NACAC Counseling Outreach Advisory Board

_____________________________________________________________________

College Counseling Outreach Handbook

Center for Student Opportunity has published a College Counseling Outreach Handbook to provide to participating counselors and partner schools and organzations to assist in college preparation and guidance work with first-generation and historically underserved students. [The Handbook is being revised to offer volunteer counselors a more structured volunteer curriculum to guide their outreach work.]

The Handbook offers worksheets, activities,                                               DOWNLOAD THE 
and other resources dealing with:                                                                HANDBOOK  HERE:         

• Elementary/Middle School Students: Promoting college awareness and motivation
  
  
• High School Students: The college search and application process
  
  
• Financial Aid: Navigating the maze and maximizing opportunities
  
  
• Parent/Family Involvement: Encouraging college access and retention
  
  
• College Success and Retention: Exposure to the college experience      _____________________________________________________________________

Getting on the College Track: Some Helpful Ideas for Understanding the College Process

Center for Student Opportunity’s PowerPoint Presentation entitled “Getting on the College Track” was created to outline how college can have a positive effect on the futures of first-generation, under-resourced youth. The presentation also introduces students to the resources CSO provides in disseminating information on and encouraging students to take advantage of various programs and opportunities that serve and support their college aspirations.

Beginning this summer, CSO is getting out in the field to offer this presentation to students through community organizations, educational outreach programs, and schools in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and mid-Atlantic region.

The presentation is also publicly accessible. Download “Getting on the College Track” here and share it with your student audiences. [Also available in Spanish]