Empowering students to achieve success in higher education.

Mission

Increase the college-going rate among the region’s high school students with specific focus on those students who are first generation college-bound, underserved populations and who are academically talented.  Our goals are to offer opportunities through our curriculum-based program to build awareness of and preparedness for the college admissions and financial aid process with the intent to build a local workforce.

2012 Calvert Local Scholarships Application

2012 Calvert LSA form is now available for completion.  Deadline date is March 16, 2012.

Financial Aid Application Help

Thanks to all who attended our events.  We wish you the best of success in higher education!!!!!

February 11, 2012 – FAFSA Line By Line, Calvert High School Auditorium, 9:30am – Noon

February 12, 2012 – College Goal Sunday, Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Noon – 4:00pm

 

High School Program

During our five years in operation, we have reached over 800 academically talented and economically challenged, underserved and/or first-generation college bound junior and senior high school students through weekly sessions involving the SoMD CAN curriculum based program which is rich in resources and tools to help students navigate the intricacies of the college admissions and financial aid process.  We have programs at all 4 high schools in Calvert County with a Pre-College Advisor who works closely with the Guidance Office and Administrative staff.  Weekly sessions are conducted during the one hour lunch throughout the junior and senior years.  Personal consultations for participants and their families can be arranged with the Pre-College Advisor.

In the Community

Our community outreach includes no cost:

  • Financial Aid Nights at each high school (over 560 individuals and families served throughout Calvert county this year alone!),
  • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Line by Line workshops,
  • College Goal Sunday event,
  • FAFSA Days at each county high school
  • One-on-one counseling for participants,
  • You CAN early awareness pilot program for 8th grade students,
  • “How Education Changed My Life” in-school assembly provides discussions with committed community leaders about their pathways to success propelled by education.
  • Our third year of coordinating the Calvert Local Scholarships Application provided high school students with the opportunity to apply to 32 scholarships offered by local providers who believe in our youth and want to provide financial assistance to help them achieve success in higher education.

 

We Need Your Help

SoMD CAN is a non-profit organization which relies on the generous investments from the community we serve.  Your investment is 100% tax deductible.  It costs $215 per student annually to provide a weekly curriculum and community outreach.  Your support develops our youth, builds an educated and skilled local workforce and provides a means for our youth to give back to our community.

Please donate to support our county youth by clicking on the “Donate Now” button at the top of this page.

 

The Southern Maryland College Access Network (SoMD CAN) is a nonprofit organization initially funded by a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation grant. SoMD CAN was founded in 2005 by experienced and committed leaders in education and community service.