Pathways to College & Career
Across Chicago, more students are graduating with college credits and career credentials, gaining early momentum toward their future. Sustaining and expanding this progress requires continued investment in the experiences, guidance, and financial support that help students turn aspiration into achievement.
We work with Chicago Public Schools to expand access and readiness for college and career through meaningful preparatory experiences, so every student can successfully transition and thrive in their chosen postsecondary path.
Integrated College & Career Readiness
Preparing students for life after high school begins well before graduation. CPS is building a more connected system of college and career readiness that integrates advising, real-world experiences, and aligned pathways.
- College and career advising from middle school through high school, helping students make informed decisions
- College exposure and visits, expanding awareness of postsecondary options
- Early college and credential opportunities, allowing students to earn credits and certifications while in high school
- Work-based learning experiences, including internships, team-based challenges, and career-connected projects
- Skilled trades exposure, connecting students to in-demand career pathways
Programs like the Chicago Roadmap strengthen alignment between high school, college, and career systems, helping more students enroll in and persist through postsecondary education.
Philanthropic investment helps expand access to these opportunities—supporting transportation, stipends, advising, and program delivery—so more students can participate and benefit from experiences that prepare them for long-term success.
Scholarships
Scholarships play a critical role in ensuring students can pursue the college and career pathways they have worked toward.
- Targeted scholarships aligned to specific student groups, fields of study, or communities
- Equitable college access, helping students enroll in institutions that match their academic potential
- Emergency financial support, covering unexpected costs that can disrupt persistence
- Undocumented student pathways, including programs like the CPS Dream Fund
These investments help ensure that financial barriers do not determine whether students can access—and complete—postsecondary opportunities.
