Reach4Success

Reach4Success is a college access organization dedicated to the mission of bringing higher education into the lives of potential students of all ages. ASA collaborates with Reach4Success and its College Information Center, located at the MLK Library, to offer the Financial Aid Roadmap program.

The goal of Financial Aid Roadmap (FAR) is to target students and families with the right financial information at the right time. When it comes to paying for college, many students and families start too late—and face a dizzying array of information when they do begin. FAR aims to turn these families into informed and savvy financial aid consumers. First, it raises participants’ overall level of financial literacy so they can handle the challenges that arise at different stages of their lives. Next, the program provides specific college planning and financial aid resources to bring students’ college dreams into reach.

FAR encompasses 3 major components:

• – Financial aid outreach. FAR provides seminars as well as print and electronic resources to raise families’ awareness of financial aid and increase their financial literacy. From workshops teaching parents of middle-schoolers how to put college savings into their budget, to booklets explaining the A to Z of financial aid for high school students, these outreach efforts tackle the issues on families’ minds at every stage.
• – One-on-one guidance—each step of the way. Families always have access to financial aid specialists that can create individualized plans and guide them through the college planning maze. This personal attention is a key aspect of keeping families on track during tough times and helping them get past financial roadblocks.
• – Training coaches in the community. The FAR program recognizes the vital importance of community members who work with families via school, community, and faith-based organizations. As a result, it incorporates Financial Aid Training Institutes, intensive training sessions that cultivate a corps of dedicated community leaders well-versed in both general financial literacy strategies and the specifics of the college financial aid process. Engaging the community in these efforts is a fundamental element of FAR’s long-term plan for success.

ASA is proud to support the important work of Reach4Success.