Stronger Together: How CBOs and Colleges Are Working to Support Student Success

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The path to college is changing, and so are the questions students are asking.

At a recent NACAC Community-Based Organization (CBO) session, leaders from College Possible, Macalester College, St. Olaf College, the University of Minnesota, and NACAC came together to discuss what they're seeing in the field and how colleges and community organizations can work together to better support students.

While the topics ranged from financial aid to admissions trends, one message stood out throughout the conversation: 

Students are best served when community-based organizations and higher education institutions work as partners.

Students Want More Than Access

For many years, the focus of college access work was helping students answer the question, "Can I get into college?"

Today, students and families are increasingly asking, "Is college worth it?"

BG Tucker of College Possible shared that concerns about affordability, student debt, and return on investment are shaping many students' decisions. Families want to understand not only whether a student can enroll, but also what college will cost and how it can help them achieve their long-term goals.

This work highlights the essential role CBOs play in bridging gaps between students, families, and institutions. By building trust and providing personalized guidance, organizations like College Possible help students make informed decisions that align with their goals and circumstances

Colleges Are Adapting, Too

Higher education institutions are also navigating significant changes.

Macalester College's Aisha Gonzales discussed how colleges across the country are responding to experiencing the long-anticipated enrollment cliff, particularly across the Midwest and Northeast, changing student interests, and increased competition for students.

We're seeing:

• More direct admissions opportunities

• Evolving testing policies

• Greater emphasis on career preparation

• Expanded affordability initiatives

• More focus on helping students understand their options

For both colleges and CBOs, these changes underscore the importance of helping students move beyond simply applying to more schools and instead focus on finding the right fit academically, financially, and personally.

Financial Aid Takes a Team Effort

Several presenters highlighted just how complicated the financial aid landscape has become.

Brian Lindeman of Macalester College outlined recent federal policy changes that will affect parts of the financial aid system, including loan programs and repayment options. While many students may not feel the impact directly, families still need support understanding what those changes mean for them.

That support often comes through partnership.

CBOs help students navigate the process, while colleges provide institution-specific information about aid programs, scholarships, and affordability resources. When both groups work together, students receive more accurate information, stronger guidance, and greater confidence in making enrollment decisions.

Helping Students Find Their Voice

One of the strongest themes of the session was the importance of helping students become self-advocates.

Roy Cady-Kimble of St. Olaf College emphasized that students today have access to more information than ever, but that doesn't always mean they know how to navigate the college-going process.

Admissions professionals want students to ask questions, reach out, and engage directly with colleges.

For CBOs, that creates an opportunity to build essential skills like:

• Self-advocacy

• Professional communication with admissions officers

• Asking informed questions

• Seeking support before challenges become crises

• Making informed college decisions based on their individual needs

Many college admissions teams are eager to partner on workshops and programs that help students develop these skills before they arrive on campus.

Success Doesn't Start on Move-In Day

Marlon Green of the University of Minnesota encouraged attendees to think beyond admissions and focus on student success after enrollment.

He encouraged CBOs to have deeper conversations with students before they leave home, including:

1. Do you understand the actual cost of attendance?

2. Who will you turn to before a problem arises?

3. How will you find community during your first weeks on campus?

4. What opportunities will you explore beyond your major?

5. What support systems will remain available after high school?

These conversations help students view college not simply as a place to earn a degree, but as a full developmental experience.

Green also emphasized that institutions and CBOs share a common goal: helping students find the environment where they can thrive. Success is not measured solely by enrollment numbers but by ensuring students land at institutions that align with their goals, identities, and aspirations.

Collaboration is Key

As funding priorities shift and the college-going landscape continues to evolve, collaboration is becoming more important than ever.

CBOs bring deep relationships with students and families. Colleges bring resources, expertise, and pathways to degree completion. Together, they can create stronger systems of support that help students access, afford, and succeed in higher education.

For MinnesotaCAN, this conversation was a powerful reminder that student success is truly a shared effort.

When colleges and community-based organizations work together, students gain more than admission to a college. They gain the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to build successful futures.

And that's a goal we can all rally around.