1. Home
    2. »
  2. College Resource Center
    3. »
  3. Improving College Reading Skills: Expert Tips and Strategies

The Best Colleges for Low Income Students Success Tips & School Research for Financially Challenged Students

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students from low-income families are generally under-prepared and less qualified for college than their higher-income peers. But a growing number of these students are bucking the trend and successfully attending college—the difference in enrollment rates between low- and high-income students is narrowing, from a gap 30 percentage points wide in 2000 to just over half of that in 2016. Colleges and universities are creating programs to help low-income students access higher education, with many making specific efforts to assure these students complete a degree. Learn more about which schools are graduating high numbers of low-income students, and get tips, advice and information on the programs designed to foster college success.

Meet the Expert

Theresa O’Donnell

Meet the Expert

Theresa O’Donnell

Theresa O’Donnell, Program Associate, eAdvising at College Advising Corp. Theresa has dedicated her career to diversity education and college access. Prior to joining College Advising Corps, she was an academic coordinator with the TRIO Talent Search program at North Carolina State University. There, she prepared middle and high school students for the college application and matriculation process. Prior to her work at NC State, Theresa served as an admissions counselor at the University of Illinois, a diversity facilitator with Texas A&M University’s Department of Multicultural Services, and an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Spectrum Youth and Family Services in Burlington, Vermont.

Written By:

Alix Cirac

Meet the Writer

Alix Cirac

Alix Cirac has degrees in journalism and political science, but is fortunate enough to coach volleyball as a “real job” as the Assistant Director of the Northern Nevada Juniors Volleyball Club. In addition to coaching, she’s also spent the last ten years working with student-athletes on college prep, including program research, standardized test strategy, tutoring, time management, and organizational skill improvement.

Follow on:

How is Low-Income Determined, and Why Does it Matter for College?

A teacher might not be able to tell a student from a low-income family from other students just by looking at them, but the differences are there, and are much more prevalent than many people think. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 21 percent of all children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold; this equates to more than 15 million kids living in poverty.

What is the federal poverty threshold?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determines a poverty threshold for statistical analysis. Additional poverty guidelines are issued by the Department to be used for determining financial eligibility for federal programs, including federal college aid. For example, the 2018 guidelines place the poverty threshold for a single-person household at $12,000 a year. A four-person household is below the poverty threshold if they make $25,100 a year or less.

Is poverty equivalent to “low-income”?

Making wages below the poverty line is one way to measure low-income, but studies suggest families likely need to make double the income set for the poverty threshold to meet basic needs. “An imperfect but fairly reliable rule of thumb is if you are eligible for free or reduced lunch you will often be considered low-income,” says Theresa O’Donnell, Program Associate of eAdvising at College Advising Corps.

Why is this important for college?

There are a growing number of services and opportunities designed to make earning a college degree more achievable for low-income individuals. Think beyond the scholarships or grants that help with tuition and consider the steps earlier in the college preparation process. O’Donnell advises, “qualifying as low-income will make you eligible for SAT and ACT fee waivers as well as college application waivers.” Beyond these fee waivers, students who qualify as low-income may be able to take advantage of free college prep and transition courses, mentoring and advising services and meal programs that lighten the financial burden of earning a college degree.

If you don’t know where to start, O’Donnell points to taking the SAT and ACT tests. She suggests it may also be a signal for other financial help, “this will save you hundreds of dollars as well as increase your eligibility for significant financial aid at many colleges.” Read more about financial aid programs below:

Federal Pell Grants + TRiO Financial Aid for Online College Professions that Pay Tuition

If you’re unsure about your financial situation, answer the questions below to help determine if you may qualify as a low-income student.

Quiz: Am I Considered Low-Income?

The Best Colleges for Low-Income Students

While cost may be a leading concern, there are many factors that make a college a great fit for low-income students. Look for schools who have a proven track record of investing in the success of students who come from underserved areas and backgrounds. We have narrowed down a list of schools that are going above and beyond, serving high percentages of low-income students and providing them with the best combination of support, from student services to financial aid and graduation success. Each school listed also offers fully online undergraduate program options, giving low-income students the flexibility to look beyond their state borders at the best higher education opportunities in the nation.

Methodology

Methodology

In order to be eligible, a school must meet the following baseline criteria:

  • Be a four-year public or private, not-for-profit college or university
  • Accept federal grant funding (such as Pell Grants)
  • Have a higher-than-average graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients
  • Provide at least one fully online undergraduate degree program

Some of the additional metrics considered to determine an institution’s rank include:

  • Average Net Price*, $0 to $30,000 income earners**
  • Percent of student body from the bottom 20% of income earners
  • Percent of Pell Grant recipients
  • etc.

*Average Net Price is an estimation of the cost of attendance for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates paying in-state tuition rates, after awarded title IV federal student aid (such as Pell Grants and federal student loans) is factored in. This price calculation includes complete costs: average room and board rates plus other expenses and fees, on top of standard tuition rates.

**A qualifying student whose family falls into the associated income bracket, on average, pays approximately the calculated Net Price out-of-pocket to attend.

Source Data: National Center for Education Statistics, Equality of Opportunity Project Mobility Report Cards, U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2014-2018

1. South Florida State College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Lakeland

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 46% Median Grad Debt $5,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
2. Saint Peter's University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Newark

State : NJ

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 53% Median Grad Debt $25,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: St. Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church
3. Lincoln Memorial University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Middlesborough

State : TN

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 60% Median Grad Debt $17,020 On-Campus Food Pantry: Lincoln's Cupboard
4. Florida International University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Miami

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 56% Median Grad Debt $17,228 On-Campus Food Pantry: BBC Student Food Pantry
5. Mississippi University For Women $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Columbus

State : MS

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $15,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
6. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Olean

State : NY

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $14,874 On-Campus Food Pantry: Mobile Food Pantry
7. University of Mount Olive $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Goldsboro

State : NC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 52% Median Grad Debt $28,006 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
8. Fresno Pacific University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Fresno

State : CA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 56% Median Grad Debt $21,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: FPU Student Cupboard
9. Southern Wesleyan University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Greenville

State : SC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 62% Median Grad Debt $27,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
10. Claflin University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Columbia

State : SC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 55% Median Grad Debt $32,185 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
11. Florida Atlantic University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Port St. Lucie

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 51% Median Grad Debt $16,861 On-Campus Food Pantry: Beyond Food Program
12. Santa Fe College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Gainesville

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 52% Median Grad Debt $11,025 On-Campus Food Pantry: Gainsville Harvest @ SF
13. Carlow University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Pittsburgh

State : PA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $27,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: Campus Cupboard
14. Sam Houston State University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Huntsville

State : TX

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 46% Median Grad Debt $21,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: SHSU Food Pantry
15. Chaminade University of Honolulu $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Honolulu

State : HI

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 51% Median Grad Debt $22,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
16. William Carey University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Hattiesburg

State : MS

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 58% Median Grad Debt $20,192 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
17. Saint Leo University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Tampa

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $24,750 On-Campus Food Pantry: St. Leo Food Pantry
18. Coker College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Florence

State : SC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 47% Median Grad Debt $28,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: The Cobra Cupboard
19. Husson University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Bangor

State : ME

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 49% Median Grad Debt $25,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
20. San Diego State University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : San Diego

State : CA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 69% Median Grad Debt $15,349 On-Campus Food Pantry: Associated Students Food Pantry
21. Ranken Technical College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : St. Louis

State : MO

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 92% Median Grad Debt $13,750 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
22. Schreiner University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Kerrville

State : TX

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 48% Median Grad Debt $25,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
23. SUNY College at Oswego $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Syracuse

State : NY

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 62% Median Grad Debt $21,515 On-Campus Food Pantry: Oswego Food Pantry
24. Columbia International University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Columbia

State : SC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 79% Median Grad Debt $21,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
25. University of La Verne $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Los Angeles

State : CA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 65% Median Grad Debt $25,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: Leo Food Pantry
26. Southwestern Adventist University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Fort Worth

State : TX

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $26,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: The Pantry at Southern Adventist University
27. Louisiana College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Alexandria

State : LA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 58% Median Grad Debt $23,027 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
28. University of North Texas $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Dallas

State : TX

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 50% Median Grad Debt $20,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: UNT Food Pantry
29. Chadron State College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Scottsbluff

State : NE

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 48% Median Grad Debt $17,786 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
30. William Paterson University of New Jersey $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Newark

State : NJ

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 46% Median Grad Debt $24,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: The Pioneer Pantry
31. Green Mountain College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Burlington

State : VT

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 45% Median Grad Debt $23,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
32. Eastern Washington University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Spokane

State : WA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 45% Median Grad Debt $20,818 On-Campus Food Pantry: ewU Food Pantries
33. Western Carolina University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Sylva

State : NC

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 53% Median Grad Debt $22,010 On-Campus Food Pantry: Resource Pantry
34. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Elmira

State : PA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $27,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: MANNA Food Bank
35. Portland State University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Portland

State : OR

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 45% Median Grad Debt $22,634 On-Campus Food Pantry: PSU Food Pantry
36. Davis & Elkins College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Elkins

State : WV

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 46% Median Grad Debt $23,712 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
37. SUNY College at Brockport $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Buffalo

State : NY

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 63% Median Grad Debt $20,750 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
38. Old Dominion University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Virginia Beach

State : VA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 50% Median Grad Debt $23,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: IGNITE Food Pantry
39. Simpson University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Redding

State : CA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 46% Median Grad Debt $16,668 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
40. University of Alabama at Birmingham $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Birmingham

State : AL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 50% Median Grad Debt $21,500 On-Campus Food Pantry: Blazer Kitchen
41. Lancaster Bible College $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Reading

State : PA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 58% Median Grad Debt $16,666 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
42. University of The Cumberlands $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : London

State : KY

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $13,957 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
43. Johnson University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Knoxville

State : TN

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 56% Median Grad Debt $21,380 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
44. University of Central Florida $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Orlando

State : FL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 65% Median Grad Debt $18,271 On-Campus Food Pantry: Knights Helping Knights Pantry
45. Southern Utah University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : St. George

State : UT

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 44% Median Grad Debt $12,575 On-Campus Food Pantry: HOPE Pantry
46. University of The Incarnate Word $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : San Antonio

State : TX

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 52% Median Grad Debt $27,179 On-Campus Food Pantry: UIW Community Garden
47. Georgia Southern University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Statesboro

State : GA

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 45% Median Grad Debt $23,000 On-Campus Food Pantry: Captain's Cupboard Food Pantry
48. University of Idaho $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Pullman

State : ID

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 53% Median Grad Debt $24,279 On-Campus Food Pantry: Vandal Food Pantry
49. Aurora University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Chicago

State : IL

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 53% Median Grad Debt $22,337 On-Campus Food Pantry: Libby's Place
50. Cumberland University $$$$$ Address & Contact Info:

City : Nashville

State : TN

 Graduation Rate, Pell Grant Recipients: 51% Median Grad Debt $21,729 On-Campus Food Pantry: N/A
view more

Expert Insight: Challenges Poor Students Face & Resources to Help

Students with financial struggles face a unique and increasingly difficult set of trials, and it shows in their college outcomes: only 15 percent of low-income students completed a bachelor’s degree in 2015, compared to 29 percent of middle-income students. The reasons for this disparity are varies, from physical factors like lack of college role models or family obligations to socioeconomic factors like feelings of camaraderie and belonging on campus.

Expert Theresa O’Donnell weighs in:

Lack of College Role Models

For many middle- and high-income students, going to college is an expectation or at least a known possibility. Many of these scholars have one or both parents who went to college, as well as siblings and extended family members.

While every student has individual circumstances, many of our first-generation students communicate that it is hard to plan for college when they do not have a parent or close adult who has been to college to emulate – they often are held back by what they don’t know.
Resources to Help:
  • First in the Family

    An online resource library designed specifically for first-generation college students to explore the possibility of higher education.

  • On-Campus Peer Mentoring

    These services can be found on many college campuses, pairing freshmen with upperclassmen to help one another overcome low-income risk factors.

  • Peer Forward

    Unleashing the power of peer mentorship, this program trains and pairs high school students together to help one another learn about and apply for college and financial aid.

There are many supportive resources available to low-income college students, including knowledgeable high school counselors and aid-specific programs. But it’s tough to take advantage of these people and programs if you don’t know they exist. According to O’Donnell, students have a hard time preparing for college when they aren’t aware of the help available, steps it takes to get there, or the associated costs.

Students cannot plan for a deadline, a scholarship, or an honors program if they don’t know it exists,” she says. “They cannot afford to take or retake the SAT and ACT if they do not know to ask their counselor for a fee waiver. They cannot apply to all the schools they want to if they don’t know that these fees can also be waived.
Resources to Help:
  • College Possible

    A college counseling program that provides a personal coach for low-income students.

  • Khan Academy, College Planning Courses

    This system of online courses explains the college admissions process and is free for anyone to explore.

  • Local College Fairs

    Check for local college fairs, such as College Connect in Colorado, where colleges and universities gather to provide high school students with information on their campus, programs and services.

Another valid concern for students is simple: money. What does one choose if forced to decide between food and books? Or rent money and clothes? Or gasoline and internet? Or time spent working or going to class? These ongoing choices are consistent hurdles that low-income students have to constantly leap over to keep up with other undergraduates.

Resources to Help:
  • College and University Food Bank Alliance

    For students choosing between food and financing their education, this listing provides the names of over 400 on-campus food banks.

  • The College Carpool

    This online carpool service offers college students free rides to and from school and home.

  • Fee Waivers for the SAT

    Not only is the testing fee waived for qualifying students, but SAT Fee Waivers also provide no-cost Question-And-Answer or Student Answer Service reports and waivers for a number of college application fees.

Students from low-income backgrounds frequently have family obligations that other students don’t. They might share the responsibility of raising younger siblings or caring for elderly relatives. Many are also used to contributing money to the family’s income. According to O’Donnell, the choice they make to either move away from home to attend college or continue to live at home and go to school may adversely affect either them, their family, or both.

Once in college, students often face another dilemma,” she says. “If they go to the local college or university and live at home, they often miss out on social connections and the immersive experience that are made living on campus. But if they move away, they have limited money to travel back and forth to home.
Resources to Help:
  • Attending College as a Student-Parent

    With almost 5 million college students raising children, this guide provides much-needed advice and resources for student-parents.

  • Creating an Academic Plan

    Scottsdale Community College explains the process of creating an academic plan with your school, factoring in outside commitments and tracking progress towards a degree.

  • School-Life Balance Tips

    A helpful guide offering tips and advice for students juggling school and other commitments like family and work, provided by Johns Hopkins University.

According to O’Donnell, a real concern for low-income students is the idea that no matter hard they work, they don’t belong with their peers who come from other backgrounds.

On a socio-emotional level, students share that they suffer from imposter syndrome, that even though they have rightfully earned their spot as a college scholar, they don’t feel like they belong,” she says. “For all of these reasons students need to raise their hand before day one of class and ask for the help they need to adapt to the new space.
Resources to Help:
  • College Transitional Classes

    Offered at many colleges and universities around the nation, programs like this one at the University of California, Davis help low-income students make a smooth college transition.

  • On-Campus Support Groups

    Check your campus for support programs, like the CARE program for single parents and CAFYES program for former foster youth at Sierra College.

  • Social Belonging for College Students Assessment

    A quick online survey and reflection exercise that many colleges and universities utilize during student orientation to help determine how to best support underserved students.

5 Tips for Success as a Low-Income Student

Potential low-income scholars can follow these steps to lay out a plan for success, both in applying to colleges and completing a degree. Expert Theresa O’Donnell offers her advice below:

  • Ask for help early.

    Students need to seek assistance from the very start. If a student is even considering the idea of going to college, he or she should find an academic counselor in the middle or high school right away. Many programs that help students gain access to college start early, as does meeting the criteria for GPAs, standardized tests, application deadlines, and accelerated degree programs (see below).

    Web resources like KnowHow2Go from the American Council on Education can help students find the right questions to ask. They can also provide answers and planning strategies.

    Senior year of high school should include many family discussions so that everyone is informed of your wishes and options as you begin considering colleges through being admitted and accepted,” O’Donnell says. “Also, do not forget to complete the FAFSA every year to maintain loans and grants.
  • When considering colleges, research the graduation rates.

    Students should check out College Scorecard, a U.S. Department of Education resource that allows students to search school according to varying criteria.

    The site shares a variety of useful information, from the percentage of students paying down their debt–a good sign that they have a quality education that provided them with a job that financially supports them, O’Donnell says–and the percentage of students who receive federal loans. She suggests finding schools with:

    • A high graduation rate
    • Graduates who are paying down their loans
    • A large number of students who have utilized federal financial aid

    These factors indicate that a school offers “bang-for-your-buck” for low-income scholars. Another factor O’Donnell suggests to look at is the number of students who earn their degree within 6 years of enrolling.

    We encourage students to seek schools with a 70 percent or higher overall 6-year graduation rate. This means that within six years of enrolling, 70 percent or more full-time students will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from that institution. The current national average is 59 percent.
  • Check out all options, and be realistic about cost.

    According to O’Donnell, the cost of college is often a major factor why low-income students do not complete degrees, and therefore should be considered heavily. Four-year universities are not always the best option, and are never the only option. For-profit universities sometimes don’t offer credits that transfer easily.

    Many for-profit schools grant credit and degrees that will not transfer to other schools. If students plan on starting at one school and transferring to another, a much better plan is to start at a low-cost community college. They often have agreements with the major colleges and universities in that state so that credits transfer smoothly, and students graduate on time with minimal debt.
  • Upon acceptance, plan for success and understand your aid.

    According to O’Donnell, students who are low-income should ask their school about summer bridge programs to acclimate to campus life before school begins. They can start with their academic adviser who can connect them to helpful campus services.

    Once on campus, be sure to meet with an academic adviser each semester as they can be a huge resource in helping you stay on track to graduate in four years and help consider taking advantage of other opportunities (e.g., internships, study abroad, a double major or minor, etc.). It’s also important to understand the aid that you’ve received and know when it renews and what you need to do to keep receiving it.

  • Find support and a network.

    There are low-income students on every campus, all over the country. Reach out and find others like you so that you don’t feel alone. Celebrate each other’s successes and challenges. Ask your academic advisor for the plug-in or check out clubs on-campus.

    All students should utilize the campus writing center, office of career services, office of academic advising, career services, and the counseling center starting their first year to set themselves up for academic, career, and socio-emotional success.

College Degrees: Fast Routes to Financial Stability

No matter how you spin it, college is expensive. Even with all the scholarships and aid one can find, at some point a student is spending time in class that they could be spending earning a wage in a career–and not paying for tuition, books, housing, etc. There are some ways that students can save time, and therefore money, and get out with a degree quickly.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Accelerated degree programs are designed to make a student’s college career as efficient as possible. These types of programs may be a good fit for organized students who can dedicate their time completely to earning a degree in a short amount of time. They may not be as well-suited for students who are juggling family and work at the same time as school.

Dual Credit High School Courses

Students can enroll in some high school courses that give them credit for college. This allows students to take courses for free before they begin secondary school, resulting in lower costs and few courses to take. But be sure to check that dual enrollment classes offered by your school meet all technical requirements.

Additional Resources for Low-Income Students

  • College Advising Corps

    With advisers in nearly 650 high schools across 14 states, this virtual advising team works with 7,500 high-achieving students from across the country.

  • College Possible

    A program designed to make college admission and success attainable for low-income students through coaching and support.

  • CollegeVine Pro Bono

    Each year CollegeVine offers their services to a select number of students who do not have the financial means to hire a college advisor.

  • Federal TRIO Programs

    Include Upward Bound, McNair Scholarships, and Talent Search, all federal programs designed to aid low-income students.

  • The Common Application

    A one-stop application to college, accepted by hundreds of colleges around the country.

  • Forward Directions

    Resources for students and parents, specifically low-income and first-generation students.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    A must-do for every college student, the first stop to access to federal financial aid.

  • Know How 2 Go

    College resources for students and parents, specifically low-income and first-generation students.

  • Financial Preparation for College Checklist

    Provided by the U.S. Department of Education, this financial prep list starts at various points, from as late as a week before college starts to as early as elementary school.

  • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

    The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need.

  • National College Access Network

    A membership group for those who work with underserved, college-bound students.