DC CAP Launches Free Tool to Help DC Students Connect College Choices to Future Careers

Developed with support from KPMG, DC CAP's College Navigator will help students in the District make more informed decisions about college and career.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The DC College Access Program (DC CAP) today launched the DC CAP College Navigator, a free college and career exploration tool that helps D.C. high school students connect their interests to college programs and understand how those choices relate to future work in the D.C. Metro Area. Designed for students considering DC CAP's University Partners program, the Navigator brings information about partner colleges, potential financial aid and D.C.-area careers into one place for students and the people advising them. By giving students and counselors a shared view of these options, the Navigator helps them work together on a college plan that reflects the student's interests and goals.

The AI-powered Navigator is the first product of DC CAP's Career Pathway Intelligence Platform, developed with support from the KPMG Foundation through their AI Impact Initiative. The investment supports DC CAP's broader work to use technology and data to strengthen student support.

Students can begin with a career interest, a program, or a partner university. From there, they can explore how those options connect, what careers pay in the D.C. area, and how stacked aid compares with a college's cost if chosen for DC CAP's University Partners program. They can save a plan on their own device and share it with a counselor or coach to guide an advising conversation.

"D.C. students deserve to see how their college choices connect to the futures they want for themselves," said Eric Waldo, President and CEO of DC CAP. "The College Navigator gives them a place to explore those possibilities with the people helping them get to college. We're grateful to KPMG for investing in this work and helping us put this resource in students' hands."

The platform brings together over a dozen federal, state and local data sources covering hundreds of careers. In the Navigator, students can explore local career wages and projected openings, as well as typical earnings for graduates of specific partner-college programs where data is available. They can also see how DC TAG, Pell Grants, and a potential DC CAP award could help cover college costs, with financial aid eligibility and application steps identified. The Navigator works on a phone or computer, requires no login, and does not ask for personal information.

The launch coincides with the opening of registration for DC CAP's next application cycle. Beginning October 15, seniors at D.C. public and public charter high schools can visit apply.dccap.org to check their eligibility and register for updates ahead of the application opening in January 2027. The Navigator is free and available to any student exploring college and career options, whether or not they plan to apply to DC CAP.

The College Navigator is available at navigator.dccap.org.

About DC CAP
The DC College Access Program (DC CAP Scholars) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the higher education achievement gap for D.C. students by helping them access and attain meaningful college degrees with little to no debt. DC CAP believes that a student's personal circumstances should never determine their ability to succeed. By leveraging dollars, connecting students to better match universities, and providing wraparound support, DC CAP Scholars works to ensure students graduate ready to compete in today's economy. Learn more at dccap.org.

SOURCE DC College Access Program