Supporting Students

Collegiate Directions was founded with the goal of closing the education, achievement, and opportunity gap for primarily first-generation-to-college students from households with limited financial resources. Since our first class of 10 Scholars in 2005, we now serve over 250 students from tenth grade through their senior year of college, every year.

Our six year commitment to Scholars begins in the spring semester of tenth grade and continues until their college graduation. By focusing on the whole Scholar – providing academic, mental health, and career support – and involving Scholar families in the process, our program has one of the highest graduation rates of any college access program in the country.

100%

of CDI Scholars are accepted to and enroll in college

CDI focuses on helping students identify and apply to best-fit colleges, rather than "under-matching" them at less-competitive colleges. On average, the Class of 2024 received $44,142 in renewable financial aid.

90%

of CDI Scholars earn an undergraduate degree

CDI Scholars are five times more likely to graduate from college than their peers who don’t receive similar support.

230

The number of actively enrolled Scholars at any given time

All Scholars receive 1:1 wraparound support – comprehensive college counseling, targeted tutoring and test preparation, leadership training, mental health support and life skills coaching, and career and internship exploration assistance.

369

The number of CDI Scholars who have graduated from college

Scholars have gone on to become doctors, dentists, scientists, social workers, engineers of all stripes, educators at all levels, architects, business owners, and more.

Darwin, Class of 2017

“It really made all the difference—without CDI, I would not have completed college.”

“CDI became the source of unconditional support that I needed.”

Sarem, Class of 2018

Our Scholars

Collegiate Directions works in eight schools in Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC. Each year, we accept up to 45 Scholars through a competitive application process. Students are eligible if they have a minimum GPA of 2.6, want to attend a four year college or university, are eligible for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS), or attend one of our partner schools.

Partner Schools

• Albert Einstein High School
• E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
• John F. Kennedy High School
• Montgomery Blair High School
• Paint Branch High School
• Springbrook High School
• Walter Johnson High School
• Wheaton High School