College Awareness Month campaign launches next week, giving Philly students many opportunities to access college-fit workshops, citywide college fairs, application and FAFSA support, college application fee waivers, career exploration events, and more, all designed to help students explore options and take action toward their futures!

📢 WEEKLY EMAILS WILL BE SENT ALL MONTH FEATURING CAMPAIGN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 📢 Be on the lookout so you can add applicable events to your calendar and/or register for them directly! There is still time to get involved. If you are interested in participating, please complete the following form:

The College Awareness Month campaign will also serve as the kickoff to the "What's Your Plan?" (WYP) campaign for the 2026-2027 school year. CASE is looking for ambassadors to help increase awareness, strengthen partnerships, amplify student voices, and improve campaign resources across Philadelphia.

As a WYP Ambassador, you'll have opportunities to contribute in ways that align with your interests, expertise, and availability.

College Awareness Month Calendar 🗓️

All of the College Awareness Month campaign events and activities are live on to the PG2C Calendar (click on the image to the right to visit this calendar page). Be sure to bookmark this page so you can revisit throughout the month!

Arcadia University

Bryn Mawr College

Chestnut Hill College

Cheyney University

College Together

Commonwealth University: Bloomsburg, Lock Haven & Mansfield

Community College of Philadelphia

CCP Catto Scholars

Drexel University

Haverford College

Holy Family University

Jefferson University

Kutztown University

LaSalle University

Lincoln University

Manor College

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Penn State University

Rowan University

Shippensburg University

Swarthmore College

Temple University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh (use code PANTH3R)

Ursinus College

Villanova University

Widener University

Application Fees💸

WAIVED ALL MONTH

12 Plus

American Paradigm Schools

Campus Philly

Families Forward Philadelphia

Graduate Philadelphia!

Harlem Lacrosse

Heights

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, PA Chapter

PASSHE

PA Department of Education

PHEAA

PHENND

Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable

Philadelphia Education Fund

Philadelphia Youth Network

PhillyGoes2College

School District of Philadelphia

SDP Parent & Family University

The Common App

Youth Employment Project

🔔 THE FIRST WEEK OF EVENTS 🔔

Writing Personal Statements

for College Applications

THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 6:00 - 7:30PM

Students working on college applications can get support with one of the most important parts of the process: the personal statement. The session is designed to help students choose a strong essay topic and develop a personal statement that helps colleges get to know them beyond the rest of their application.

During the workshop, students will explore common college essay prompts and think more deeply about the story they want to tell. Participants will also have opportunities to share ideas, edit, analyze, and revise their writing with others.

Students who have already started their college essay are encouraged to bring a draft.



The workshop will be facilitated by Professor Dan Pieccoli, an English professor and Co Director of the University Writing Program at Drexel University.



Application Deadline for the
"Villanova Up Close" Overnight Visit DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCT. 2

"Nova Up Close" gives prospective 12th grade students an opportunity to experience Villanova from a student perspective, during a two day, overnight campus experience on October 22 and 23.

Participants will be paired with a current Villanova student, attend class, experience residence and dining halls, and explore other parts of campus life. Plus, Villanova will sponsor travel and attendance costs for participating students from Philly.

Students interested in participating must complete the Nova Up Close Interest Form and submit their most recent high school profile and transcript by October 2. Participation in the program does not affect a student’s application for admission to Villanova University.

WYP Has a New Home on PG2C.org LAUNCHING MONDAY, OCT. 5

The "What's Your Plan?" 2.0 campaign is evolving to include a more robust online resource for Philadelphia students and families. Created to help young people explore life after high school without pressure, shame, or a one-size-fits-all mindset, WYP brings together well-curated information, inspiration, video interviews, and expert advice across a range of postsecondary pathways - including college, community college, trades, military, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Now, all of that content has a centralized new home on the PhillyGoes2College.org website, making it easier than ever for students and families to explore their options, find answers to their questions, and discover a path that feels right for them. Whether they have a plan already or are still figuring it out, WYP is here to help Philly’s young people move toward successful postsecondary outcomes and fulfilling careers.

Virtual FAFSA Workshop for Students

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 6:00 - 7:00PM

Students and families can get help understanding the FAFSA during the virtual It Takes a Village workshop, co-hosted by the Philadelphia Education Fund, Campus Philly, and Heights Philadelphia.

The session will walk participants through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and provide an opportunity to ask questions about completing the FAFSA. Experts will help explain the application and make the financial aid process easier to understand. PLUS, Participating students will have a chance to win a free laptop!

Student Loan Forgiveness Workshop

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 6:00 - 7:00PM

Students, graduates, and others looking to better understand federal student loan repayment and forgiveness options should join for this virtual workshop. The session will break down information about student loan forgiveness and repayment programs in clear, accessible language.

Participants will learn about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income driven repayment forgiveness, and other potential relief options.

The workshop will also cover 2026 student loan changes and help participants better understand how those changes may affect repayment and forgiveness options.

Resume Writing 101 Workshop

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 5:00PM

This workshop will cover the basics of writing a resume and will support students in crafting a resume to use for college applications, scholarships, employment based opportunities (internships or jobs), and or volunteer opportunities. Attendees can expect to walk away with a resume template to update and use for their own personal resume! 

College Awareness Month Calendar 🗓️

All of the College Awareness Month campaign events and activities are live on to the PG2C Calendar (click on the image to the right to visit this calendar page). Be sure to bookmark this page so you can revisit throughout the month!

🔔 OCTOBER'S IN-PERSON EVENTS🔔

NACAC National College Fair

SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 11:00AM - 3:00PM

at the PA Convention Center

Free and open to the public, National College Fairs are the perfect place to begin or continue your college search. No matter where you are in the college search process, NACAC College Fairs have something for you!

Search. Our virtual and in-person fairs can draw representatives from over 600 colleges. The schools are located throughout the US, and from around the globe. Don’t know where to start? Research colleges attending the fair to determine if they meet your search criteria and make sure to reference your College Matchmaking™ email to ensure you connect with your best-fits!

Connect. Ask representatives the questions that are important to you. What’s college life like? What majors are popular on campus? Chatting, whether in-person or virtually, with representatives from a variety of colleges can help you cement your own preferences.

Find. Your dream school is out there! Let NACAC College Fairs help you find it.

Catto Scholars Legacy Conference

SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 9:00AM - 2:00PM

at Community College of Philadelphia

True transformative empowerment requires engagement and education, and the Octavius Catto Legacy Conference aims to do all three. The goal of this free conference is to create a meaningful dialogue around expanding the pipeline of college admission and success in Philadelphia. Emphasis will be placed on conversations that engage, educate and empower through a lens of care and equity, while acting to advance education at local, regional and national levels.

Born in 1839, Catto was a pioneer and the greatest civil rights leader in post-Civil War Philadelphia. He pledged that Black men would be able to freely vote and worked tirelessly to get Pennsylvania to ratify the 15th Amendment, which was accomplished in October 1870. Tragically, Catto was gunned down in 1871 as he cast his own vote on election day. Today Octavius V. Catto is remembered for progressively leading generations of leaders to fight for and create change. Through the Catto Education Project, there are many schools named in his honor, teachings and workshop classes, and scholarship programs, including Community College of Philadelphia’s Octavius Catto Scholarship. Combining last-dollar funding with special wrap-around support services, the scholarship addresses obstacles like tuition and fees, as well as burdens that hit many Philadelphians particularly hard, including costs associated with food, transportation and books.

In remembering his legacy, this conference will serve as a call to action to make education more accessible, affordable, equitable and inclusive for everyone. It is a call to rise up against the inequitable structures that continue to exist in our educational system.

Finding Your College Fit

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 AT 4:00PM

at Temple University

In this workshop, students will learn about all types and categories of colleges/universities, and will identify the factors most important to their college fit. The workshop will explore fit non-negotiables in academic, financial, and social categories, with various campus examples and thoughtful, individualized fit research exercises. Students will also learn skills for researching colleges and narrowing down their college list.

Fall 2026 FAFSA Kick-Off

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 3:30 - 7:00PM

at the School District of Philadelphia

Please join The School District of Philadelphia at their 11th annual FAFSA Kick-Off event at 440 North Broad, open to all School District of Philadelphia seniors.

The focus of the event is to provide live support to students and families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Registration is required to attend this event. Registration is required to attend this event. We hope you'll attend this kick-off to your postsecondary journey!

Perks of Attending:

• $25 Gift Card when you complete your FAFSA on-site!
• Free food and refreshments
• Music, resources, and fun while you finish your paperwork

Extracurriculars & College Applications

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 4:00PM

at the School District of Philadelphia

Taking place during the FAFSA Kick-Off event onsite at the School District of Philadelphia (440 N. Broad St.), this workshop explores what colleges are looking for in student involvement and the best way to highlight extracurriculars on the application.

Join Erica Woods, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Villanova University for this engaging workshop. Leave with tools and strategies to enhance your academic resume and activities list.

Campus Philly's Fall Career Event

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 5:30PM

at The Franklin Institute

Connect in-person with companies, graduate programs, and non-profit & government organizations across the Greater Philadelphia area, gain insights into different industries, and strengthen your skills for the future.

All attendees can explore Franklin Hall, Body Odyssey, and Wondrous Space during the event, FREE OF CHARGE!

"I Clicked Submit... Now What?"

Next Steps for Your CCP Application

FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 3:30PM

at Community College of Philadelphia

This workshop will give you what you need to know once you submit your CCP application in order to successfully enroll! Join us for this interactive session at CCP, where we will outline the steps to matriculation, including the placement test, academic advising, class and major selection, financial aid and billing, scholarship opportunities, engaging with clubs and cohort-based supports, and more. If you are interested in taking semester-long, summer, or dual enrollment classes, at CCP, check out this workshop.

College Awareness Month Calendar 🗓️

All of the College Awareness Month campaign events and activities are live on to the PG2C Calendar (click on the image to the right to visit this calendar page). Be sure to bookmark this page so you can revisit throughout the month!

These individuals and the organizations or institutions they represent are critical to the stewardship of the ecosystem’s common agenda to improve graduation outcomes for all Philadelphia students.

The Philadelphia Education Fund serves as the backbone organization for CASE, convening partners to advance a shared vision for college access and success across Philadelphia. CASE was launched through founding investments from the William Penn Foundation and the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce and continues to be strengthened through strategic partnerships, including with the Everyone Graduates Center.

The Philadelphia Education Fund convenes, coordinates, and advances CASE on behalf of Philadelphia's college access and success community. To learn more about CASE or become involved, contact Ellen Ridyard at eridyard@philaedfund.org