COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE

Among Lumina Foundation's objectives is making sure that students understand what it takes to apply to and succeed in college.

Every student has the potential to succeed. However, not every student has the necessary support and information to thrive. For many students, the path to college is paved with obstacles that include financial need and awareness challenges, lack of family encouragement and inadequate career guidance. In any number of large, urban school districts, for instance, a single guidance counselor may serve more than 700 students.
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Socioeconomic status strongly affects access to reliable information about college. Financial aid experts agree that low-income students and their families are more likely to miss out on higher education opportunities because they do not understand the financial aid process. As a result, qualified and motivated students are falling through the cracks. Students of color and first-generation students are far less likely to enroll and graduate from college than their peers because of financial need or lack of information. More »

Lumina Foundation supports efforts and programs that focus on breaking down the information barrier and helping students understand what it takes to prepare for and go to college. Among these efforts:

KnowHow2GO, a national awareness initiative that lays out the essential steps to help low-income students in grades eight through 10 prepare for college.
College Goal Sunday provides on-site help to families who wish to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The PALMS Project seeks to improve the life chances of Latino youth by opening doors to postsecondary education. This project communicates information about how to effectively equip and support students and their families in the pursuit of education beyond high school.
The First in the Family series, published by What Kids Can Do, are books written by and for first-generation students. They advise first-generation college students to remember the three Cs as they begin their higher education journey: conversations, connections and confidence.

Many low-income youth aspire to attend college, but they lack the support needed to achieve their educational goals. Caring teachers and involved counselors can help improve college participation rates.

The College Guides Program seeks to help more students attend college or other postsecondary training.
College Mentors for Kids pairs first- through fourth-graders with a college student mentor on a college campus for weekly activities that focus on higher education, career, culture, diversity and community service.
The Student African-American Brotherhood provides African-American males with the information, support and resources to help fuel their college success.

As the baby-boomer generation approaches retirement age, low-income, first-generation and racial and ethnic minorities will be an ever-growing component of the workforce. By demystifying the college process and providing these students and families with information and resources, the more likely it is they will make informed decisions about their higher education future. More »PDF