Nonprofit Celebrates Quarter Century of Student Success
College Possible, the national nonprofit dedicated to improving college access and success for students from low-income backgrounds, is celebrating its 25th year of operation in 2025, according to reports. Founded in 2000, the organization has grown from a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota to seven regional sites across the United States, serving approximately 25,000 high school and college students annually from underserved backgrounds.
The program has helped more than 100,000 students navigate the complex process of applying to, enrolling in, and persisting through college, sources indicate. Its partner network now includes 180 colleges and high schools nationwide, making it one of the largest college access and success organizations in the country.
Proven Model Gets AI Enhancement
College Possible employs a unique student-support model that connects high school and college students eligible for Pell Grants with coaches who guide them through a comprehensive curriculum. The organization deploys a mix of approximately 100 AmeriCorps service members and 55 full-time employees as coaches, according to program information.
Students typically begin the program during their junior and senior years of high school, with most participants being in the “academic middle” with grade point averages between 2.0 and 3.5. They attend after-school sessions twice weekly in groups with other college-bound peers, where coaches implement an interactive curriculum covering topics like finding best-fit colleges, academic preparation, financial planning, and application submission.
Introducing Coach Possible AI Solution
The organization is now expanding its reach with the introduction of Coach Possible, a new AI-powered coaching solution. This innovation comes following a $1 million donation from CRM software firm Salesforce in 2024 to help scale student services, the report states.
Analysts suggest the AI technology will integrate into student-coach interactions, making them more seamless while reducing administrative burdens. Coach Possible is expected to increase each coach’s capacity from 60 to as many as 250 students while preserving the personalized relationships key to the program’s success.
“Today’s students are balancing studies, family, and sometimes work, and they need answers in real time,” said Scott Del Rossi, vice president of college and career success at College Possible, according to program announcements. “Coach Possible doesn’t replace coaches; it equips them to be more effective and more available.”
Documented Success and Lasting Impact
College Possible has developed a strong track record of success over its 25-year history. One randomized trial study involving 238 students found the program significantly increased college applications and that initial enrollment at four-year colleges was 15 percentage points higher for participants than nonparticipants, according to the analysis.
Nationwide, College Possible students are reportedly three times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds. A 2024 survey of nearly 1,300 alumni showed they are completing college, succeeding in their careers, and achieving financial security, sources indicate.
“These findings show that with the right support, students from trying family circumstances succeed in college and continue to thrive well beyond graduation,” said Siva Kumari, who was named CEO of College Possible in 2023. “Our alumni aren’t just earning degrees; they are building careers, earning competitive salaries, and pursuing advanced degrees.”
Comprehensive Support System
The program encourages students to identify five “best fit” schools and provides continuous support from high school through degree completion—amounting to six years of ongoing coaching. Students also benefit from CoPilot, a student information system built on the Salesforce platform that gives university staff up-to-date information about academic progress.
College Possible operates a separate coaching program called Catalyze on several college campuses, designed to help first-generation and/or Pell-eligible students overcome common challenges to college persistence. This program has reportedly seen a 16% higher retention rate among first-year students.
Sustainable Funding and Future Growth
The program’s funding comes from AmeriCorps, private foundations, and individual donors. Its largest single grant was in 2017, when the Ballmer Group provided a $20 million unrestricted donation, according to financial reports.
Kumari described the organization’s 25th anniversary as a “remarkable milestone,” adding that “for a nonprofit to achieve this kind of proven, replicable track record over that period of time is an exceptional achievement.” She indicated the current goal is to deepen impact at existing sites while expanding through technological innovations like Coach Possible.
“Too many students leave college not because they lack potential, but because the support they need isn’t always available when it matters most,” Kumari stated. “Coach Possible is designed to change that. By harnessing AI to extend the reach of our coaches, we’re creating a model of student support that is both scalable and deeply personal.”
The expansion comes amid broader technological advancements in education and other sectors, including developments in technology stocks and various international economic initiatives that sometimes involve independent political actors and financial policy decisions that can impact educational funding landscapes.
More information about College Possible’s programs and impact is available through their official website at collegepossible.org.
This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.
