About
College Possible is a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based nonprofit that makes college admission and success possible for students from low-income backgrounds through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Founded in 2000, the organization pairs students with trained coaches — many of them recent college graduates serving through AmeriCorps — beginning in the junior year of high school and continuing through college degree completion, entirely free to students and families.
Mission
College Possible is making college admission and success possible for students from low-income backgrounds through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Its coaching commitment spans six or more years per student, with continuous mentorship through transitions and enrollment gaps.
What they do
College Possible's coaching model follows students through five phases:
- Explore and Prepare (high school juniors): SAT/ACT test preparation, introduction to the college process, college fit exploration, and financial aid guidance
- Select, Apply, Finance (high school seniors): financial aid and scholarship applications, college application and essay assistance, college visits, and housing and transportation planning
- Transition to College (summer): enrollment checklists, class registration support, and campus acclimation
- Persist Through Graduation (college students): navigating college systems, accessing resources, peer relationship building, academic support, and financial aid renewal
- Transition to Career (graduation): internship and job placement, and interview preparation
Coaching is delivered in person and through AI-enhanced virtual support. In 2025 the organization launched Coach Possible, an AI-powered coaching solution.
History
College Possible was established in 2000 by educator Jim McCorkell in Saint Paul, Minnesota, originally under the name Admission Possible, launching with 35 students and AmeriCorps coaches. It expanded to Milwaukee in 2008, was recognized by President Obama in 2009, and grew to Omaha and Portland in 2011-2012, when it rebranded as College Possible. It expanded to Philadelphia in 2014, launching CollegePoint virtual coaching, and to Chicago in 2015, when it celebrated 1,500 college graduates. In 2017 it received a $20 million gift from the Ballmer Group, and in 2020 it marked 20 years with more than 50,000 students served. In 2023-2024 it integrated its Texas and Wisconsin programs and partnered with Salesforce.
Scale and impact
- Since 2000, College Possible's college access and success programs have helped empower nearly 100,000 students on their path to a college degree
- Operates across seven sites: Chicago, Minnesota, Omaha, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
- Serves as an AmeriCorps partner, employing recent college graduates as coaches
Financials
Per IRS Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 41-1968798), College Possible reported total revenue of $34,440,171, total functional expenses of $32,206,667, and total assets of $25,651,190 for fiscal year 2024. In fiscal year 2023 it reported revenue of $24,598,991 and expenses of $28,232,798.