Why Join NCAN?

With hundreds of members spanning across almost every U.S. state, the National College Access Network is a unique and experienced resource for organizations that help underrepresented middle and high school students aspire to, apply to, enter, and succeed in college. Effective early awareness programs, college advising, financial aid counseling, and postsecondary support are crucial to students who will be the first in their families to complete college. NCAN is an expert in how to deliver these services and raise college-going rates in schools and communities.

NCAN helps its members serve students better by providing programs with up-to-date tools and resources, connecting them to each other, and informing them of developments in the field. NCAN is also a voice for communities dedicated to college opportunity, advocating at the national level for improved access and success for all students.

NCAN members span a broad range of the education, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors:

*Community-based nonprofits *Local scholarship providers *Federally funded programs such as TRIO and GEAR-UP *National youth-serving organizations *Public school districts *Charter schools *Colleges and universities *Private and community foundations *Economic development organizations *Corporations *State higher education commissions *Education policy organizations *Youth mentoring programs

The National College Access Network makes members’ jobs easier by providing them with readily accessible tools and resources, networking connections with other leading advocates, a national perspective on college access trends and legislative developments, and periodic grant opportunities.

Eighty-five percent of members find NCAN’s benefits so useful that they renew their membership year after year:

  • Get the latest updates on national trends and information with daily email briefs about college admissions, financial aid, and relevant legislative activity.
  • Join regional meetings and the NCAN annual conference to meet with other leaders in the field and discuss the latest issues in access and success.
  • Access time-saving resources, including list-serves, best practices, online toolkits, directories, guidebooks, and other materials on NCAN’s Members Only Website Portal.
  • Build the talents of your staff with professional development, including webinars, trainings, and technical assistance.
  • Learn about strategies that achieve the best results for low-income and underrepresented students.   
Additional member benefits include:
  • Apply for periodic grants available only to NCAN members.
  • Build relationships with more than 300 member organizations from across the United States and Canada.
  • Share your expertise to help others strengthen their work.
  • Advocate for national policy changes on behalf of the students and families you serve.