Many high school students are gearing up to apply to colleges. Applying, finding the best fit and loans to pay for it all can be challenging. One organization in Central New York is helping students with that process.

“What will help me the most is when choosing a college is what the financial aid will be. Also, what level of education can I get for the best amount?” said Abigail Kairewich, a freshman at Onondaga Community College.

After the spring semester, she is looking to transfer to a four-year college to study special education. She has her eyes on the University at Buffalo.

“It’s a good educational program. It drew me to it because it’s kind of like its own little city and it’s a good college. I’ve looked into it,” said Kairewich.

Kairewich says it’s the guidance she has from On Point for College, that started when she was in high school, that’s led her to be on this college career path.

“So they’re at OCC every Tuesday and Wednesday, so I get to pop in and say hi. I get constant support; they always ask, ‘Hey, what do you need?’ Most of the time it’s just, 'hey, I need to focus on this class,' ” said Kairewich.

On Point for College is a nonprofit organization that helps underserved students with their college career journey.

“So we help them with the applications, we sit down with them and making sure that they have their essays, recommendations. We go over with them their financial aid, applying with FASFA, TAP, any scholarship opportunities that are out there, we want to make sure that our students have access to that,” said Nicole Burnett, director of access for On Point for College in Syracuse.

She says On Point workers help the students with everything they need to prepare for college once they are accepted into a school.

“We also provide services where if they need transportation, some of our parents are single parents, may not have a vehicle. So we will transport our students to and from college, moving them in, moving them out,” said Burnett.

Burnett says they also check in with their students, whether it’s going to their campus or a phone call for their out-of-state students.

“Our job is to making sure they are staying successful in schools. If there’s any barriers that they are facing, this is where we play a part in to say 'hey, what is that you need,' ” said Burnett. “We build relationships with our students because we want them to understand that there is somebody that cares and that is rooting for you and want you to get to that finish line and by all means necessary we’re going to help you with that."

There are similar non-profit programs like this throughout the state, such as 518 Elevated in Albany, Rochester College Access Network and Send Your Kids To College in Buffalo.