25-26 FAFSA Open NOW!

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25-26 FAFSA Open NOW! -

College Access and Success

College Bound?
We can help.

You CAN go to college! REF convenes the Rochester College Access Network. RCAN is here to help you on the way! We can help you choose and apply to college, figure out how to pay for college, and make the best college choice.

Contact us at fafsa@rochestereducation.org

Need help with FAFSA? Check out these pages!

Rochester College Access and Sucess

The Rochester Education Foundation convenes the Rochester College Access Network (RCAN) which includes representatives from local colleges and universities, community based organizations, foundations, school administrators and school counselors from RCSD and Rochester city charter schools. Its goals are to work together to remove barriers to college access,  increase success for Rochester city students, and foster a college going culture in the city of Rochester.

We help students and families understand the process for applying to college, search for scholarships, understand financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and learn what to expect at college. We are working to launch a Future Fair for all RCSD 7th grade students so that they can learn about a variety of careers and imagine their bright future ahead. We also work with school counselors and local colleges and universities to bring 9th grade students on college tours, and share all opportunities about college visits and college fairs with students and families.

At a Glance

About us

  • We host FAFSA Fests—a series of free events that help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through individualized one-on-one assistance from volunteers including highly trained community partners and local colleges’ financial aid and admissions counselors.


    Since starting our FAFSA Fest initiative in 2015, we’ve assisted thousands of students with the completion of their federal (FAFSA) and state (TAP) college financial aid applications. At these events, our volunteers work with students and families to make sure these complicated forms are completed accurately. Why is this important? Every year, students who qualify for significant financial aid leave millions of dollars on the table. Approximately 85% of students who complete their FAFSA proceed directly to college.

  • We offer one-on-one sessions as well as group presentations with our Director of College Access Initiatives and RCAN partners to help students learn about the college application process, learn about colleges, search for scholarships, complete college applications, write personal essays, apply for financial aid, and decode the financial aid offer letters. 


  • Our Director of College Access Initiatives coaches and mentors first generation college bound students. This is done through a series of one:one meetings as well as connecting these high school students with current first generation college students. Mentoring sessions with students are aimed to improve student outcomes by establishing ongoing relationships with students outside of the classroom. This relational approach allows for tailoring sessions to meet the individual student’s needs.

  • Rochester Education Foundation offers four scholarships annually for college-bound RCSD and Charter School seniors. We are excited for students to have access to these. One is exclusively for Edison, the others are for all Rochester city students ranging from $500 - $5,000 awards. When students apply, they automatically will be considered for all 3 (or 4)  scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 31.