College Retention Advisors
After graduating from high school, all DC-CAP Scholars begin their college retention programming by participating in DC-CAP’s Pre College-Seminar. The seminar is designed to provide students and their parents with information and resources that are critical to successful entry and completed of college.
A College Retention Advisor is assigned to each student to assist them in navigating all aspects of college. Along with their College Retention Advisor, some schools have an assigned DC-CAP College Representative, a fellow college student from DC, who serves as an ambassador for DC-CAP and provides additional resources and information to their peers.
Please note: office visits are by appointment only
How We Help
There are three main areas in which DC-CAP supports its scholars.
- We conduct workshops to educate students and parents about all types of available funding whether it be loans, grants, scholarships, work-study, etc.
- We support students and families to complete applications including the:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step used to determine eligibility for federal grant, loan, and work-study programs
- DC OneApp which is used by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to determine eligibility for the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) program
- We help students identify and apply for private, local, and other scholarships to access available support.
- We train students and parents how to interpret financial aid award packages and plan accordingly.
Student Success Stories
“Being a scholar in the DC-CAP Partnership at George Mason…has connected me to resources I’ve utilized to tackle problems common for first-year students. Success coaching, clubs, tutors, and academic advising have made my college transition a lot smoother. The partnership programs support my academic achievement and my well-being with regular check-ins and scheduled activities.”
— C. Brooks, Class of 2020
“Being a part of the DC-CAP program is more than the chance to alleviate the financial burdens of attending a university. It’s a network of support systems to guide me through my college experience.”
— R. Ngatchou, Class of 2020
“Through the DC-CAP University Partnership program, I have had the chance to build relationships with so many excellent individuals that have influenced me positively and helped me to learn many valuable lessons in my first two years of college. The accomplishments of my cohort peers and advisors are constantly inspiring me to take on new challenges and responsibilities.”