Why College Matters
Higher education will determine the future of our nation. Often, income inequalities are driven by a lack of access to college. Not only are college graduates half as likely to be unemployed as those with only a high school degree, they are also more likely to vote and be leaders in their communities. The economic health and social viability of a democratic society is determined by the education of its citizens. We must remove the barriers to postsecondary education access.
What Is The American College Application Campaign?
The American College Application Campaign (ACAC) is a national effort to increase the number of first-generation students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential. The primary purpose of this effort is to help high school seniors navigate the complex college admissions process and ensure they apply to at least one postsecondary institution. The effort occurs during the school day, with a focus on students who might not otherwise apply to college.
In 2014, ACAC programs took place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Campaign expands each year to include more high schools and students. Click on a state to learn more about their Campaign program or see a list ofall 2014 participating states.
ACAC also:
- Educates policy and decision makers in every state and territory about the importance and value of higher education
- Works to increase the number of citizens who pursue educational opportunities beyond high school
- Supports the creation of a better-prepared workforce
ACAC provides the following services at no cost to states and territories implementing an ACAC college application effort:
- Technical assistance
- Specialized training, webinars, and consultation
- Access to proven practices and resources
- Support with evaluation
To ensure success, states and territories are encouraged to:
- Organize a broad-based statewide steering committee with K–12 and higher education representatives and college access leaders
- Identify a primary contact person for their state
- Establish a timeframe for implementation
- Conduct a pilot project with 1-20 high schools in the first year
- Identify a period of time in October or November of each year to sponsor the ACAC event at a schools during the school day
- Report results
- Participate in an annual meeting to exchange proven practices
