College Readiness Coaching
Need free help understanding college admissions and applying to college? College Coaching hours are currently hosted at our Central Library (Jamaica), Cambria Heights Teen Center, and online via Microsoft Teams. To schedule a coaching session please visit the links below:
- Cambria Heights Library:
- Central Library:
- Online:
Please contact us with any questions at College.Readiness@queenslibrary.org.
The College Readiness Program
Queens Public Library offers free in-person and virtual workshops for youth, parents/caregivers, and adults seeking guidance about college admissions, career exploration, and financial assistance. We aim to support schools and other community-based organizations that provide college readiness services.
College Readiness at Queens Public Library offers three different styles of learning:
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College Readiness Workshops: Our workshops focus on helping individuals identify and develop the practical skills needed to prepare for college. Each workshop guides students from the early steps of the process through what they need to know when they arrive for their first day on campus. In addition to our student-oriented workshops, we offer parent & guardian workshops to provide information on supporting students through the college admissions and financial aid processes. Some examples of our workshops include: Introduction to College Applications, Creating a College List, Career Exploration, FAFSA and Financial Aid Applications, Scholarship Search and Applications, The College Selection Process, Scholarships and Paying for College, and Preparing for your First College Semester.
- College Coaching: We offer individualized coaching for both students and families, scheduled during after-school hours at the Cambria Heights, Central Library, and Online. Coaches lead one-on-one sessions to create a college application strategy with students in high school. Students can also get help with writing their college application essay, researching colleges to create a list of schools, choosing which college to attend, and get support from a college coach throughout the process.
- Community Events: Community events are wonderful opportunities for community members to join in-person and virtual college information sessions with college representatives. The library also hosts college/career panels and a college fair in the spring. All events are open to the public; registration may be required on the library program calendar.
Queens Public Library's College Readiness team is available to support you. To learn more or to submit any questions please contact us at College.Readiness@queenslibrary.org.
Upcoming Programs
Join us at an upcoming program to learn first-hand about the college application process.
College Readiness on the QPL Blog
Access Queens Public Library blog posts on College Readiness here.
Volunteering at Queens Public Library
Showcasing volunteering experience on your college applications can increase your chances of acceptance. Learn about all the volunteering opportunities available at QPL here.
Resource Links
Navigating High School
SAT and ACT Tests
College Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Student Search Service
- A Complete Guide to the Application Process
- How to Apply to College
- College Board
- CUNY Admissions
- Get Started - SUNY Colleges
Getting Ready for College
- Big Future from The College Board
- Big Future from The College Board (PDF Flyer)
- New Visions for Public Schools-College Enrollment Guides
Upcoming College Fairs
Financial Aid, Grants, and Scholarships
- Applying for Federal Financial Aid
- Applying for NY State Aid & DREAM Act
- High School Juniors: Start Planning to Finance College
- NYS Grants, Scholarships and Loan Programs
- National Merit Scholarship
- New York State Resident Scholarships
- New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association
- Scholarship for Certified Nursing Assistant Training