College Access Now

College Access Now (CAN) supports students from low-income families to enroll and graduate from college. Grounded in best practices and measurable results, CAN partners with high schools and communities to expand what’s possible. Our coaches develop meaningful relationships with students, transforming their journey into manageable steps to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed. ​We offer support from high school through college graduation—until they return home as leaders, inspiring their communities and breaking the cycle of poverty for generations to come. The impact of a college degree goes beyond the individual student, elevating possibilities for friends, families, and all of us who benefit from a more informed and empowered society. CAN was founded with a commitment to provide personalized practical support for highly-motivated, low-income students in our local Seattle Public Schools. Volunteers began serving 29 high school seniors at Garfield High School in 2005. CAN’s grassroots beginnings have grown to include evidence-based college access curriculum assisting students in pursuit of a college degree. Over the years, CAN’s High School Program model has scaled to serve both juniors and seniors at additional high schools. And in 2012, CAN launched a College Persistence Program to offer formal support to students through college graduation. CAN is a college access and completion program serving 2,500 students - including 1,050 students at 11 high schools in Seattle and South King County. As well as approximately 1,500 students at colleges across Washington State and the country. Students join CAN's program in junior or senior year of high school - receiving intensive one-on-one and general coaching from our core team of AmeriCorps coaches, volunteers, and staff until they secure that all important college degree.