College Mentoring Program
Helping Young People Find Their Path to College and Beyond
The transition from high school to college can be exciting, overwhelming, and filled with unfamiliar decisions. For students who are the first in their families to attend college or who have faced significant barriers along the way, navigating the process can be especially challenging.
The JBBBS College Mentoring Program combines the power of a meaningful mentoring relationship with expert college counseling and practical support. Together, volunteer mentors, professional counselors, and JBBBS staff help young people explore their options, navigate the college admissions and financial aid process, and build the confidence and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond.
One-to-One College Mentoring with a Team Behind It
Beginning midway through 11th grade, each student is matched with a dedicated volunteer College Mentor who serves as a trusted guide, thought partner, encourager, and source of support as they navigate the path to college and beyond. Mentors and mentees meet in person twice a month throughout high school and stay connected as students transition to college.
Each match also works virtually with a professional college counselor through JBBBS’s partnership with Campus Bound, while JBBBS staff provide ongoing match support. Together, this team helps students:
- Explore college, career, and other post-secondary options
- Navigate college selection, applications, and essays
- Understand financial aid and complete required applications
- Stay organized and on track throughout the process
- Adjust to the academic and personal challenges of college life
- Access additional resources, including scholarships, financial literacy workshops, career preparation, and other wraparound support
And because meaningful mentoring relationships are about more than applications and deadlines, mentors and mentees also spend time together having fun, exploring shared interests, and building the trust that makes deeper support possible.
The Impact of Having Someone in Your Corner
The combination of a trusted mentor and expert guidance makes a meaningful difference. In the 2026 College Mentoring Program survey:
“I appreciate the extra help with applying for college. As a first-generation student who had no idea how to apply, I loved having so many people with me to walk me through this journey.”
College Mentee
Become a College Mentor
Help a Young Person Take the Next Step
You do not need to be an expert in college admissions or financial aid to become a College Mentor. Professional counselors and JBBBS staff provide that expertise and support.
What students need from their mentors is something equally important: a consistent adult who will listen, encourage them, help them stay on track, and be there through the highs and lows of an important life transition.
College Mentors make a 2.5-year commitment, beginning midway through a student’s junior year of high school and continuing through the first year of college. During high school, matches typically meet twice each month in person and participate in a monthly virtual meeting with their college counselor. Once students begin college, the relationship adapts to distance and changing needs.
“I’ve really enjoyed having someone in my corner who is consistently available and supportive. My mentor always responded to my questions quickly, no matter how big or small, and that kind of help made a huge difference, especially during stressful moments like college applications and my first semester.” – College Mentee
Help More Young People Reach Their Potential
Getting into college is only one step. For students who are the first in their families to attend college or who have faced significant barriers, navigating applications, financial aid, and the transition to college can be overwhelming.
The College Mentoring Program relies on the generosity of donors and community partners to provide this comprehensive support at no cost to participants. Your investment gives young people a team in their corner, providing the trusted mentorship, professional college counseling, financial aid guidance, and ongoing support they need to overcome barriers and build a path toward their goals.
The College Mentoring Program is part of JBBBS’s broader Big Futures initiative, which provides Littles beginning in eighth grade with age-appropriate opportunities and guidance as they explore high school, careers, college, financial literacy, and the transition to adulthood.
