Program Description
NCC provides college resources to students traditionally without them, and who are underrepresented on college and university campuses, by working collaboratively with organizations across the community and the non-profit partners serving the students and their schools. But most importantly, NCC is designed to assist a student in finding their most appropriate “fit” in order to be successful and attain a college degree.

Nashville College Connection harnesses the many relationships that Oasis Center has established with local organizations to provide the following resources:

1.         College Access Resource Center – housing staff, resources, and information. The center acts as a clearinghouse and is open to any student or family in the community.

2.         Classic College Access Program – providing direct services and expertise in the fields of admissions and financial aid. These services can come in the form of group activities or one-on-one services between professional staff and a student/family.

3.         Community-based Paraprofessionals – providing training and services to organizations and mentors currently providing college access services to youth being served and creating a common communications platform/referral service between the organizations and mentors.

Research shows that early in their middle and high school careers, the vast majority of students—regardless of race or class—aspire to attain some sort of post-secondary education. Career visioning, college discussions, college visits and the cultivation of college aspiration help our youth stay focused on school and dedicated to their own individual growth.

Most services currently being provided to Nashville youth are concentrated on encouraging students to aspire to post-secondary education and helping them academically achieve. Services offered decline and become increasingly remote as the complexity of the admissions and financial aid issues increase. The “gap” in services is due to the need for an organization that can fill the skill set gap, provide experience and expertise, and act as a referral source when the issue becomes better addressed by another community expert.

Nashville College Connection program services, following the National College Access Network's model of "Six A's," will lead to an improvement in students attaining a college degree and the practical skills required to advocate for themselves as their educational careers continue.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)

The Ayers Foundation

Dell Foundation

Scarlett Foundation