Volunteer

Volunteer With Us!

Volunteers make our mission possible! Dedicated community members commit thousands of hours each year to ensure that college and career dreams can become a reality. There are many ways to get involved. Check out our list below to see if there’s an opportunity that is right for you.

Volunteer Opportunities

College Coach

Partner with rising seniors to support them throughout the college admissions process. Coaches are matched with Scholars at the end of their junior year and assist with the entire college application process, from building their college lists and writing personal statements, to completing the Common Application and providing guidance and encouragement. Coaches must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Time Commitment: Coaches must participate in multiple training sessions and have the ability to meet with their Scholar (virtually or in-person) at least once per week from the end of junior year to the end of senior year of high school.

Financial Aid Helper

Support families as they navigate the complexities of the financial aid process. Assist with completing and submitting financial aid applications (FAFSA, NYS TAP, and CSS Profile); reviewing financial award letters; and identifying options for narrowing the college cost gap. Guides must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Time Commitment: Primarily during the months of October – December and then as needed. Guides must participate in one training session before volunteering at a FAFSA Boot Camp or an appointment.

Essay Support Team

Review and provide feedback on Scholars’ personal statements and supplemental essays to ensure their submissions are high-quality and error-free. Essay volunteers must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Skilled volunteers with exceptional writing and editing skills are strongly encouraged to apply!

Time Commitment: Primarily during the months of September – November. Essay Support Team volunteers must participate in one training session before volunteering.

Career Mentor

Work one-on-one with First-Gen Forward Scholars in college who are actively seeking internship and employment opportunities. Support Scholars with updating their resumes and cover letters so they can showcase their experiences and achievements in this competitive job market.

Requirement: Experience in human resources and/or corporate recruiting; computer fluency and proficiency in Google Drive (especially Google Docs)

Time Commitment: Scholars will schedule phone/Zoom appointments with you, as needed, at a mutually agreeable time (approximately 5 hours per week).

College Coaches Change Lives

Our incoming class of high school seniors for 2025-2026 is rapidly growing, and we’re seeking additional College Coaches to join us in supporting these students through their college admissions journey. College Coaches play a crucial role in guiding rising seniors through the college admissions process.
Starting Spring of their junior year, coaches help Scholars with tasks such as:

building college lists
writing personal statements
completing college applications
providing mentorship

As a coach, you have the ability and opportunity to change the life of a deserving Scholar in your community!

Ready to get started?

Do you believe in the power of education? Volunteers are an essential part of our familia and make our mission possible. YOU can guide Scholars as they become the first person in their families to attend college.

Fill out our volunteer application!

LUCA Volunteer Application

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Volunteer Interest

Why are you interested in volunteering with LUCA?

Please select the opportunities you are interested in (select all that apply):

College CoachFinancial Aid GuideResume ReviewerEssay SupportCareer MentorCoaches must participate in multiple training sessions and have the ability to meet with their Scholar (virtually or in-person) at least once per week from the end of junior year to the end of senior year of high school, and primarily during the peak season from June through January. Financial Aid Helpers are needed from November to February.

Please describe any specific skills, interests, or experience that you believe could be beneficial to LUCA:

Please list other volunteer activities in which you are currently involved

Are you willing to submit to a background check and fingerprinting as required by LUCA’s school district partners?

YesNoNote: To help offset rising costs, volunteers may be asked to cover the fees for these services before they can start as a College Coach.

LUCA's Volunteer Policy

I acknowledge that I have applied to volunteer my services in the programs of Latino U College Access, a non-profit organization dedicated to making college aspirations a reality for first-generation Latino students. I acknowledge that I am not an employee of Latino U College Access. I understand that while Latino U College Access takes seriously the need to provide a safe workplace for staff and volunteers, Latino U College Access cannot insulate me from unforeseen circumstances which may cause me harm. I assume the normal risks of such volunteer service and I agree not to hold Latino U College Access responsible for such risks and will abide by the policies and procedures of Latino U College Access. In consideration of the opportunity to volunteer with Latino U College Access, I agree on my own behalf and on the behalf of my representatives, assigns, heirs, and kin to waive, discharge, release and further agree not to sue Latino U College Access (or its officers, directors, employees, agents or volunteers) from any and all responsibility, liability, claims or actions arising out of or in any way related to my volunteer services at Latino U College Access. I further consent to the unrestricted use of any photographs, recordings, interviews, videotapes, motion pictures or similar visual recording of me taken in connection with my volunteer services.

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