You Can Go, the Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership

You Can Go provides information and mentoring to help young people—and not so young people—find their way in the post-secondary world, identify programs that correspond to their interests and talents and obtain financial aid so they can pursue their studies.

In Montreal, about one-third of students do not finish high school. In some low-income neighbourhoods, more than half the students quit before graduating. The You Can Go program tackles this problem head-on by offering a series of initiatives to support actual or potential drop-outs so they continue on to post-secondary studies. The program pays special attention to groups that are underrepresented in postsecondary institutions—First Nations, families with no history of university education, low-income families—so they can realize their ambitions of going to university.

Research shows that financial issues are not the only obstacle to a post-secondary education. There are many preconceived ideas about the benefits, cost and funding of post-secondary studies. For instance, 60% of high school students estimate the cost of a university education to be twice as high as it really is. With information and mentoring, potential students of all ages can break down the barriers that keep them from pursuing a post-secondary education. Students and parents alike need motivation and encouragement to succeed.

Through workshops and information and counselling sessions, the post-secondary system is demystified for students and their families. They receive support in choosing a program and obtaining the financial aid they need.

The Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership, an initiative of the Millennium Scholarship Foundation, aims to address the challenges of post-secondary access now and in the future. Its goal is to build the capacity of community organizations to provide aid and consultation services, technological tools, training, and professional development opportunities across Canada. This partnership consists of schools, postsecondary institutions, community and employer groups, and other stakeholders.

For more information, contact:
www.youcango.ca

Michael Sitruk, Montreal – 514-849-5331 ext. 283