Low-income high school students headed to college are getting help with their transition through a College Possible program.
More than 1,500 students in Omaha metro high schools are in the College Possible program. It provides academic coaching and support for high school juniors and seniors. This week, College Possible students are preparing for higher education through the Summer Bridge program, with one-on-one support.
Nick Spencer, a 2015 Papillion-La Vista South graduate, says College Possible has helped him make sense of the financial side of going to college. He says the program has also taught him about the importance of networking and getting involved in the community.
Spencer, like many College Possible students, is a first-generation college student. He’s attending UNO in the fall and majoring in Music Technology.
Seth Reuter, a College Possible coach at Papillion-La Vista South High School, says College Possible puts higher education within reach for low-income students.
“A lot of these kids are four-year university worthy, and I think us being in the school is really changing that culture, and kind of pushing those students from low-income backgrounds or first-generation college students to really push themselves and explore more options.”
College Possible is also in Philadelphia, Portland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Milwaukee.