Supporting Students To and Through College
The road to and through college is cluttered with obstacles – especially for students from under-resourced and overburdened communities. College Bound offers the support and guidance necessary to help first-generation students from low-income backgrounds get TO and THROUGH college.
Our Mission
Through an individualized, holistic, and multi-year commitment, CB empowers students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete higher education and enter successful careers.
Our Vision
College Bound students will navigate barriers to higher education attainment and enter successful careers and live fulfilling lives of choice and opportunity.
Our Programs & Impact
Our programs are developed to provide individualized, evidence-based interventions in the areas of college advising, academic skill building and enrichment, mental health and wellness, career exposure and education, financial assistance, socioemotional learning and more. Through a supportive community of professionals, our Programs improve the education and career success of students facing economic and structural barriers through three different offerings:
To and Through
A relationship-based program that supports Saint Louis students from the Sophomore year of high school until college graduation. The program targets interventions to each student based on individual needs to improve academic and career outcomes.
CB@STLCC
Based on the Saint Louis Community College Campus at Forest Park, CB@STLCC is a supportive environment that students can access daily to receive mentoring and resources. The program has been proven to improve outcomes for low-income students between the ages of 18-25.
CB@Ranken
Based at Ranken Technical College in Saint Louis, this program is improving the graduation rate of high-risk students through on-campus community and connections. Services are designed to support first year students at Ranken between the ages of 17-25.
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5x
College Bound students graduate college at FIVE TIMES the rate of their economically disadvantaged peers
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$360+
bachelor’s degrees have been awarded since 2006
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97%
of students in College Bound's class of 2024 matriculated to college within six months of graduation
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47%
of current College Bound collegians are projected to have zero debt upon graduation
Apply
Our To and Through program is the introduction to College Bound.
Emphasizing a holistic approach, we support high school students through academic development, college counseling, mental health services, and career development. High school students begin the To and Through Program at the start of their sophomore year.
CB On Campus
If you’re a student at STLCC-Forest Park or Ranken Technical College, CB on Campus is for you!
Join Our Team
At College Bound, we believe that supporting our students throughout their journey begins with our staff.
Every team member plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to empower students to complete their higher education and embark on successful careers. College Bound is currently seeking qualified individuals to join our workforce. Whether you work directly with our students or support our efforts behind the scenes, your contributions will create a real and lasting impact.
Why Give to College Bound?
There are many meaningful reasons. Perhaps you want to help others live lives of choice and opportunity, or you were a first-generation college student yourself and understand the power of support. Maybe you know one of our amazing students or alumni and have witnessed their potential firsthand. You might care deeply about the economic growth of St. Louis or hope to hire more college-educated team members at your business. You may be driven by a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and beyond. Or perhaps you’ve seen our results and simply want to invest in continued success.