DC College Access Program

DC-CAP DC College Access Program is a non-profit organization working in partnership with the District of Columbia School system that provides counseling and financial assistance to students who might otherwise never have the opportunity to attend or graduate from college. DC-CAP provides Individual and group counseling, financial aid assistance, scholarship programs, parent education, college application assistance and college student support. For more information, call 202-783-4690 or log on to DC-CAP’s web site at www.dccap.org.

College Student Services

DC-CAP's mission is to encourage and enable DC public high school students to enroll in and graduate from college. Therefore, DC-CAP has made a long-term commitment to assist and support the students even after they have graduated from high school. DC-CAP will work with DC public high school students for up to five years after high school graduation to make sure they are able to complete their education. DC-CAP retention staff will work with on-campus student support services, financial aid directors, academic advisors and others to support DC students who have enrolled in college. Each year, DC-CAP retention staff will also assess the financial resources of each student and help them insure that they have the necessary monies to complete their next year of college. Students are eligible for DC-CAP Last Dollar Award scholarships for up to five years of college.

High School Educational Planning Guide

It is never too early to plan ahead. We recommend that you work with your high school's DC-CAP advisor, academic counselor and teachers at the beginning of every school year to ensure the right steps are being taken to prepare for college.

In addition to a strong academic plan, students should participate in school-based and non-school-based extracurricular activities throughout their education. Join the business, science or chess clubs. Try out for the cheerleading squad, basketball or debate teams. Run for class president. Work as a volunteer in a community or church-based organization. Any outside interests and activities you participate in while in high school will better prepare you for college and for life. College admissions directors look favorably upon students who demonstrate an interest and a willingness to have positive experiences and learn from activities outside the classroom.

High School Student Guide

No one in my family has ever been to college.
I don't know what I want to do with my life.
My grades aren't good enough to get into college.
I don't know how to apply or where I would want to go.
I can't afford it!

If you have ever used these reasons as "excuses," DC-CAP can help you see that there is a way for you - yes, you - to get a college education. DC-CAP helps students find the right college, assists with the college application process, helps secure financial aid and continues to provide counseling and financial aid assistance to students for up to five years of college.

A College Education Can Change Your Life

What's the best way to prepare for your future? Get a college education.

A college education provides the skills and background needed to compete and succeed in today's high-tech workplace. Vital skills are gained in critical thinking, communication and technology, giving young adults confidence and greater potential upon entering the professional world.

Getting a college education is absolutely the best way to prepare for the future. With a college education you will have more career choices, better job opportunities and dramatically increased earning potential. Today's average high school graduates earn $22,900 per year, while college graduates earn $40,500 per year. That's almost twice as much each year. And over a lifetime? Almost $1,000,000 more. Think about it.

Parent Guide

The support you give your child in helping them prepare for college can be critical to their motivation and success. By showing them the confidence and willingness to help them through this exciting process, you will greatly strengthen your high school student's desire to strive for and achieve a college education.

Financial Aid

As we know all too well, the cost of going to college is high. But the cost of not going to college is even higher.

To assist with the skyrocketing costs of a college education, a growing number of programs are available to District of Columbia public high school graduates. Federal, city, institutional and private scholarship sources of financial aid exist, as do specialized savings plans, in order to help students and their families cover tuition and, in some cases, living costs. The types of plans include federal programs, D.C. programs, Sallie Mae and other sources of financial aid.

Financial Aid Application Help

Many resources are available to help you complete and file financial aid applications:

Talking To Your DC-CAP Advisor

DC-CAP advisors provide assistance to students who are preparing for college. By working directly with DC-area high school students within their own schools, DC-CAP advisors help motivate and prepare students to enter and graduate from college. Students have the opportunity to attend individual meetings and group sessions with advisors who lead specialized workshops such as: Why Go to College; Planning Your Curriculum; SAT and ACT Test Taking Tips; College Survival Tips and Choosing a Career. DC-CAP advisors will help students choose colleges as well as assist in securing financial aid and scholarships including Pell Grants, LEAP grants, Stafford Loans and D.C. Tuition Assistance Program grants (TAG). DC-CAP will also grant Last Dollar Awards to students in need of additional financing to cover college expenses.

Visit the DC-CAP Office

DC-CAP advisors are located in each District public high school's DC-CAP College Information Resource Center (CIRC). Each CIRC houses college catalogs, college applications, financial aid forms, online college databases and other resources for individual student use throughout their college planning period. If you are a high school student, we encourage you to visit your school's DC-CAP office. If you are a parent, we invite you to visit either the DC-CAP office at your child's school or the DC-CAP Main Office, conveniently located in downtown D.C.

DC-CAP Advisor E-mail

Students and parents can contact DC-CAP advisors directly through DC-CAP Advisor E-mail. Contact your high school DC-CAP advisor. College students contact your College Retention advisor.

DC-CAP: 202-783-4690