Bottom Line
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program basics
- Individualized advising for low-income, first-generation students above a 2.3 GPA
- Help with college and financial aid applications starting the summer before senior year all the way through graduation.
- Advisers provide guidance on college selection and filling out competitive applications
- A select group of students enrolled in specially chosen colleges are provided with further individualized campus-base support
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Strong (second-highest tier)
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Strong (second-highest tier)
Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
Target population
High school-aged children
Program cost
Approximately $4,000 per offered student
Implementation locations
- Boston and Worcester, MA; New York City, NY; Chicago, IL
- Bottom Line - Boston
Dates active
1997–present
Outcomes and impact
- Increased college enrollment
- Increased enrollment in four-year colleges
Keys to successful implementation
- Targeting public high schools that have particularly high guidance-counselor-to-student ratios ensures that Bottom Line is reaching students who are most in need of assistance.
- Students early-stage participation is key to their success in the program, so established relationships with public schools, community-based organizations, and other referral partners are essential in ensuring strong "hand offs" and high levels of participant engagement from day one.
- Close relationships with partner colleges ensure that Bottom Line advisors are able to help students find colleges well suited to their individual academic, social, and financial needs.
- A deep organizational commitment to data, evidence, and evaluation has helped Bottom Line build trust among public and philanthropic funders, maintained program effectiveness, and enabled continuous improvement.
