College Board looks to reduce barriers for low-income students

This time of year takes on a special meaning for many high school students. No, I’m not talking about the approach of Thanksgiving and Winter break. I’m talking about the period of time I recall with a shiver of remembered stress and anticipation: College Application Season.

Studies show that most students want to pursue education beyond high school and know that a college education is increasingly a necessity for family-wage earning jobs. Unfortunately, due to an extraordinary number of barriers—not the least of which include a financial aid application that makes doing taxes look like a breeze—many low income students are left out in the cold.

The College Board hopes to change this. Known as the arbiters of the PSAT, SAT and AP tests—often viewed as the keys to college entrance—the Board has released a report and initiative entitled the CollegeKeys Compact. The report is a result of a College Board study, which found that nearly one-half of all college-qualified low- and moderate-income high school graduates do not enroll in a four-year college program because of a combination of poor preparation, low expectations and financial barriers. The initiative makes clear the need for a focused effort, on the behalf of all individuals participating in education, to ensure more opportunities for low-income students to attend and then succeed in college.

Among the actions advocated by the College Board: increased communication with parents unfamiliar with higher education; universal application fee waivers for low-income college applicants; a more transparent application process so everyone can understand what is asked for when a student applies to a university; and perhaps most importantly, a more comprehensive process for obtaining financial aid.

We talk lot about the need for students to be ready to succeed in college, but our work means little if students are unable to navigate college entrance. One hopes that this initiative will alert the K-12 and higher education communities to the barriers that keep low-income students behind and the changes needed to allow them to excel.

We’re also interested in learning more about the ways this initiative will soon affect Washington college-applying seniors—especially as the College Board expands it’s $26 million fee waiver-program—and will keep you updated as we learn more.

To view the full report and learn more visit the College Board.