College Access
FGCB offers its College Access Program for 10th- to 12th-graders at five sites in Prince George’s County, Maryland: Central and Fairmont Heights high schools in Capitol Heights, Laurel High School in Laurel, Parkdale High School in Riverdale and Potomac High School in Oxon Hill. Students from other high schools also may participate if space in the program is available – enrollment at each site is limited to 40 students per grade level.
Each student enrolled in the program is assigned an FGCB “encourager” – a staff person from that high school who maintains regular contact with the student and family to offer college-bound advice and support. The encourager reviews students’ progress reports and report cards, arranges meaningful quarterly activities for students and their families, and tries to ensure that students have the academic and family support services they need to succeed.
Each site holds monthly workshops for students and their parents or guardians on topics such as the college admissions process, financial aid process, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and what student support services will be available at colleges.
FGCB takes students on an average of three visits to college campuses. These colleges have included Alleghany College of Maryland, Capitol College, Coppin State University, Frostburg University, Morgan State University, Salisbury University, Towson University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
After students receive college acceptances, FGCB furnishes matriculation support, working with families to ensure all necessary forms are sent in and all financial requirements met for the chosen college so that students can begin classes in the fall without complications.
Each June, FGCB holds an Annual Celebration to honor the high school graduates about to enter college and former FGCB participants who have just earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a college or university. This highlight of the year has featured such speakers and emcees as former University of Maryland basketball star Len Elmore, Prince George’s State’s Attorneys Alexander Williams and Glenn Ivey, nationally prominent defense attorney Willie Gary and actor Tico Wells, as well as FGCB alumni.
To see a calendar of upcoming College Access events, click here.
Enrollment
To be eligible, students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average, and their parents or guardians must attend a Parent/Guardian Commitment Workshop. Students who join the program must pay a $25 registration fee.
Because of limited space in the program, enrollment preference is given to students whose parents have not obtained a bachelor’s degree; students from families of low to moderate income (under $50,000); and students not living with parents (who are in guardian, foster-care or other such situations).
Click here to download a College Access Program application.
When a student is accepted into the program, parents or guardians have to sign a College Retention FERPA Release Form. FERPA stands for the Federal Education Rights Privacy Act. By signing the form, parents or guardians permit FGCB to obtain academic and financial aid information from the student’s college to assure the student has fulfilled all academic and financial aid requirements.
Click here to download the FERPA Release Form.
Retention Program
FGCB continues to stay in contact with its participants and their families during the students’ college tenures. FGCB alumni stay in touch to check on academic progress, remind students and families about continuing requirements such as filing the annual FAFSA form, and generally offering encouragement and support. Students also receive care packages from FGCB.
