CFES is dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships between schools and colleges that help underserved youth gain access to and succeed in college. Its approach uses three core practices (mentoring, school-college partnerships, and student leadership programs) to help participants visit college campuses, interact with college students and faculty, and gain exposure to admissions, financial aid, and other aspects of college participation. Most CFES Scholars are first-generation college students.
Research suggests that more CFES students aspire to and attend college compared with national samples of their peers.
CFES Assessment of Student Outcomes: This CFES-sponsored study found that program students had significantly higher college aspirations and enrolled in college at higher rates, compared to national sample.