Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
CollegePoint: Free, Personalized College Advising
By
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
CollegePoint is a new initiative that matches up low and moderate-income students with online college advisors. In a country with an average student-to-counselor ratio of 408:1, students often need more help than their school provides. CollegePoint can be an invaluable resource to fill this gap. Our review of CollegePoint offers a rundown of the resources the organization provides, as well as a walkthrough of the application process.
What is CollegePoint?
CollegePoint is an initiative offered through Bloomberg Philanthropies that offers college counseling to low and moderate-income students. They partner with college access organizations like College Possible, College Advising Corps and ScholarMatch to match students with free online counseling. Advisors are typically current college students or recent graduates.
Resources offered
Counseling all takes place online and is entirely free. Advisors utilize Skype, Google Hangouts, Zoom, or a host of other online communication platforms. They coach students through every stage of the college application process. This includes:
- Providing knowledge about what colleges suit the student’s interests and making a college list
- Writing essays and personal statements
- Navigating the financial aid process, including the FAFSA and CSS Profile
- Giving personal testimonies on the college experience
- Helping with other college logistics, including housing decisions
Speaking with someone who recently graduated can give you advice you didn’t even know you needed. It can also be reassuring just to speak with someone about their experience
Who can sign up for CollegePoint?
To qualify for CollegePoint, high school seniors must satisfy economic and academic requirements. You must have a household income under $80,000 to qualify. If you’re unsure of your household income, there are a few easy ways to learn if you qualify. If you receive free lunch at school or are eligible for an SAT tuition waiver, you are financially eligible for CollegePoint.
There are two routes for academic eligibility for CollegePoint. Students qualify for the program if they meet either of these requirements:
- Hold an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5 and score in the 90th percentile on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT
- Hold an unweighted GPA of at least 3.7 and take at least 2 AP, IB, or college-level courses in the first three years of high school
Note that CollegePoint can’t guarantee that students are paired with an advisor and is contingent upon student eligibility and the space in the program.
Is there a deadline for CollegePoint?
CollegePoint enrolls new students into the program in the spring and early fall. Generally, enrollment is closed by the end of September, but you can always check on the CollegePoint website for the most up-to-date information.
How do you sign up for CollegePoint?
You can sign up for CollegePoint here. The application process is simple and quick. Don’t worry if you don’t have your transcript or your parents’ tax returns on hand. The application does not require documentation, so you’ll only need to enter your name and some basic information. If you qualify, CollegePoint will reach out to you in a few days. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
What are the alternatives if I don’t qualify?
If you don’t qualify for CollegePoint, there are many other resources out there to help with your college application process. Scholarships360 offers help with every step of the process, including building your college list, writing your essays, applying for scholarships, and much more.
Although it may be harder to get facetime, your high school counselor is also trained to help you through the process. Especially when it comes to building a college list and finding scholarships, advisors can offer valuable localized advice. If you have family friends who recently graduated college, you can also ask them for advice.
If you can afford it, you can also look into private college counseling resources. Even if you have a counselor at your high school, it can be good to get a second perspective, especially from a younger counselor. It’s also important to have a counselor who can offer you a lot of facetime.
Key Takeaways
