College Passport

Connecting young people to positive futures

College is a key to improving a person’s life and strengthening communities, but the SATs, financial aid forms, and applications can be daunting, particularly for young people who would be the first in their family to attend college.  

University Settlement’s College Passport program provides the comprehensive support young people need to make their way to graduation, onto college and beyond.   

We are proud to report that it works! In recent years, more than 90% of our participants move on to the next grade level, and more than 70% of our students who graduate from high school or have completed their GED enroll in college.  

College Passport currently partners with 6 schools in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn: Broome Street Academy Charter High School, New Design High School, Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts, East Side Community School, Brooklyn High School of the Arts, and Middle School of Media, Law, and Fine Art.

At partner schools, College Passport counselors provide one-on-one support to help young people:

  • Continue to be successful each school year
  • Successfully complete high school or get their GED
  • Re-enroll in high school after dropping out
  • Prepare for SATs, ACTs, Regents and other standardized tests
  • Understand how college can be paid for
  • Navigate the financial aid process, including applying for scholarships
  • Figure out their post-graduation plans – including college or vocational study
  • Prepare for life in college, including how to be successful upon arrival
  • Determine which school is the right one, by arranging college trips and visits from college representatives

Participating students can access:  

    • College Passport advisors who provide individualized college access coaching and support  
    • Learning specialists who provide academic support  
    • An incentive-based college success program to prepare high school seniors for the rigorous academics and transition challenges that can arise during the first two years of post-secondary education  

For more information email bsankareh@universitysettlement.org

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