Access Program FAQs

Access serves high school seniors from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Ohio who come from low-income households and are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor’s degree. We focus on students eligible for admission to a four-year college, requiring a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 (80) for academic eligibility.

Bottom Line focuses on what we do best: guiding students through the college application process and supporting them to successfully graduate. While we don’t offer college preparatory programming, we work with students already in good academic standing who are ready to pursue college. To ensure younger students receive the support they need, we collaborate with and refer to organizations that specialize in college preparation.

On average, Bottom Line meets with each high school senior 10 times over the year, with each meeting lasting about an hour. Typically, students have 6–7 meetings during the summer and fall, followed by 3–4 additional meetings from January to May. The frequency of meetings can vary based on each student’s individual needs and circumstances.

Parent involvement is not a requirement or primary focus of Bottom Line’s programs, allowing parents and guardians to decide their level of participation. However, they are often engaged during the financial aid application process to provide essential tax and financial information.

Students often hear about our programs through word of mouth—shared by friends, family, classmates, or school counselors. Additionally, community-based organizations frequently refer students to Bottom Line. If you want Bottom Line at your school or community organization, email us at [email protected]

If a student is eligible for our program, they can complete an application, and a member of our team will reach out to them shortly to guide them through the next steps.