V-SOURCE (Virtual Student Outreach for College Enrollment)

V-SOURCE is a virtual college-counseling intervention designed to reduce informational and social support barriers to college application and enrollment among socioeconomically disadvantaged high school students. The program operates from March of students' junior year through the summer following their senior year, providing two variants: V-SOURCE Milestones and V-SOURCE Complete. Both variants include access to a comprehensive website with college and financial aid information, automated emails and text messages sent several times per month with information tailored to the timing of college access activities and reminders about deadlines, access to an online SAT preparation curriculum (Ready, SAT, Go!), and $20 electronic gift card rewards for completing four key milestones (registering for SAT, taking SAT, submitting two college applications, and submitting FAFSA on time). The Complete variant additionally provides students with a personal advisor who communicates via emails, texts, phone, and social media to help with all aspects of the college and financial aid application process. The program targets students who are on track to be eligible for admission to public four-year colleges in California, particularly those from low-income, Hispanic/African American backgrounds. Students need access to internet, email, and text messaging to participate. The program cost approximately $84 per participant for Milestones and $529 per participant for Complete.