Bottom Line

Bottom Line provides intensive advising for low-income high school students, most of whom are the first in their family to go to college. The program serves students in grades 11-12 and continues support for up to six years in college. Bottom Line advisors provide individualized guidance to high school students in preparing college applications, applying for financial aid, searching for scholarships, and selecting colleges that align with each student's goals. High school students meet with their Bottom Line advisors for an hour every three to four weeks during the college application and selection process. For students who attend one of Bottom Line's target colleges (institutions identified as providing high-quality education at an affordable price), Bottom Line continues to provide regular support on campus. College students meet with their Bottom Line advisors three to four times per semester. Additional contacts are held between meetings through texting, email, and video or phone calls. The program includes two components: Bottom Line Access for high school juniors and seniors, and Bottom Line Success for students who attend a target college. Bottom Line advisors have average caseloads of 65 students for high school advising and 85 students for college advising. The program is staffed by full-time advisors with college degrees who provide direct services.