5,000 High School Students Now Using Students Rising Above's College2Careers Hub

SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Students Rising Above (SRA), one of the nation's most successful college completion and workforce entry programs, today announced that more than 5,000 students are now using SRA College2Careers Hub, an online community that helps low-income, first-generation students manage college and launch their careers.

Since the Hub was launched in September 2014, 28 Bay Area high schools and three nonprofits have partnered with SRA to offer free college advising and help students navigate the college experience. In public high schools today, there is about one college counselor for every 1,000 students.

"The phenomenal growth of the Hub in less that two years demonstrates the clear need for more college advising for low-income, first-generation students," said SRA Executive Director Lynne Martin. "Across the country, high school graduation is rising, but college admission and graduation rates are declining. The Hub is a 24x7 resource that complements school districts and helps students graduate from college and break the cycle of poverty."

Middle College student Jasmeet Bhatia said: "The Hub was amazing. It helped me survive my last year in high school, find local scholarships and answered many other college-related questions. Every single scholarship that I applied for I found from the Hub's scholarship list. Anytime I had a question about anything, I posted it on the Hub. Whenever I had a personal question or needed advice, I would email my wonderful online advisor."

SRA's Hub partners include schools in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Altos, Oakland, Emeryville, Alameda, Richmond, Berkeley, Pinole, Crockett, Windsor, as well as the state of Washington. SRA plans to roll out the Hub nationally. The Hub is currently free to public high schools.

The Hub's growth is due to its unique set of student services, which include the following:

• One-to-one advising from a professionally trained online adviser. Students often get real-time answers to questions, but responses no later than 24 hours.
• An extensive resource center that answers virtually every question about college, from how to complete a financial aid form to dealing with a difficult roommate.
• Automated templates for creating letters of recommendation, a personal budget, as well as templates for resumes, cover letters and thank you letters.
• An online-community that enables students to chat with other students and exchange ideas.

"Technology is enabling SRA to apply its 18 years of experience to the Hub and scale it to a national audience, while still delivering individualized help to students," Martin said. "SRA's strategic goal is to complement the efforts of budget-constrained high schools, offer comprehensive services and ultimately help students realize their dreams."

To partner with SRA and offer the Hub to your school, contact Vanessa Barbic, [email protected].

About Students Rising Above
Students Rising Above (SRA) is an award-winning nonprofit organization that enables low-income, first-generation college students to attend a four-year college and secure a career-ladder job. SRA provides personal guidance and mentoring, internships and career guidance, and financial support from college application, through graduation and into the workforce. A 501(c)3, SRA is funded by individual donations and grants and contributions from corporations, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. Ninety percent of SRA students complete bachelor's degrees in 4.5 years, and 87% of SRA graduates are in career-ladder jobs or attending graduate school within 12 months of college graduation. For more information or to apply to the program, visit www.studentsrisingabove.org.

SOURCE Students Rising Above