RESOURCES for EDUCATORS
WE'RE ACCESS OPPORTUNITY.
And we’re committed to equity in opportunity for all students. Through six years of individualized support, we empower low-income students to attend their best-fit college and launch a meaningful career.
We rely on referrals from educators like you to help us find students who are a great fit for our program.
Thank you for spreading the word about AO. Below, you’ll find all of the info you'll need to select students to refer to us and help them with our application and interview process.
We accept a small class of low-income 10th graders each spring from across the Denver Metro area for our six-year intensive program. We’re looking for:
10th graders at a high school in the greater Denver or Boulder area
Students who are committed to their community
Students involved with a variety of activities at school and/or work a regular part-time job
Students who are academically motivated with a 3.5 GPA or above
Students in need of extra financial support and guidance for the college and career process
Students who would benefit from joining a tight-knit community of like-minded students
WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT
Here’s some of what students can expect over their six years with AO:
Expert guidance on choosing the best college for you
Ongoing workshops to build your leadership skills
Financial aid planning and assistance
with finding scholarships
A $10,000 scholarship to help with
college and career-related expenses
Support with writing your college essay
A tight-knit community of like-minded students
Free test prep to help you raise your
ACT score and expand your options
Unique opportunities to network, intern, and job shadow with companies in a wide variety of industries
We aren’t just a scholarship program – we are with students every step of the way, from the application process through college graduation.
Music: Inspire from Bensound.com
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Each student needs to ask a teacher, counselor, or mentor to recommend them using the form below. They may also get an additional recommendation from a peer or family member (using the same form). The peer recommendation is optional but highly recommended!
Please note: We will only consider ONE teacher/counselor/mentor recommendation and ONE family member/peer recommendation. Please do not submit more than one of either type.
STEP ONE
The student should fill out an application. We want them to tell us about themselves, their families, their academic performance and interests, and how they like to spend time when they’re not in class.
STEP TWO
All of your application materials must be submitted by March 1, 2021. Remind not to leave the application to the last minute. We do not give extensions to applicants.
STEP THREE
They’ll hear back from us by early April. We’ll carefully review all applications and choose a select group to invite for an interview. If they are selected, they’ll need to send us some financial documentation to confirm their family’s income.
STEP FOUR
We’ll set up face-to-face interviews, which will be conducted at your school in late April.
STEP FIVE
We’ll select and notify our new class in mid-May! The new class will be formally welcomed to our community at our workshop in June.
STEP SIX
"As an Alumni, I can say with full confidence that I would not have completed my undergraduate education without Access Opportunity. AO has helped me to complete college because they have always allowed me to be two steps ahead in the process. It has truly been an honor and experience to be amongst the first AO class and I am grateful that other students will continue to join the AO family!"
- ASIYAH, CLASS OF 2020
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