With her junior year of high school about to end, Estrella started to worry about her college options. She and her twin sister, both first-generation students from Miami, were going through the same process, so Estrella knew affordability was a huge factor in realizing their college dreams.
Estrella’s family was not familiar with the US college application process, which placed the burden of making the right choice squarely on her shoulders. Although her high school advisor was helpful, it was almost impossible to get more personalized guidance.
As Estrella’s senior year approached, community college felt like the safest bet, but a gut feeling pushed her to be more resourceful and seek out other options. That’s when Estrella came across ScholarMatch!
Tailored Support Through CollegeBoard
Estrella learned about ScholarMatch’s Destined for College program while browsing CollegeBoard’s countless resources for students. This well-known nonprofit reaches more than 7 million students each year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career with more confidence.
“I clicked on ScholarMatch because I thought that it was exactly what I wanted,” Estrella shared. “I loved that it wasn’t random, and that I could select the criteria. It felt personal.”
ScholarMatch has partnered with CollegeBoard over the years to reach more students nationwide with our college advising services. The Destined for College program pairs first-generation students with caring, knowledgeable volunteers who guide students through college applications, financial aid forms, and big decisions with more clarity and confidence.
Just two weeks later, Estrella was matched with Amy Lund, a ScholarMatch volunteer college coach ready to support her with all her college needs.
The Difference Individualized Guidance Can Make
From their first interaction, Estrella felt comfortable with Amy’s coaching style. “I call it mama bear energy,” Estrella says. “I just knew she would take care of all of my questions.”
Amy was also impressed with Estrella’s proactive mindset. “She was ready,” Amy recalls. “By the time we met, she had already run net price calculators. She was serious.”
With affordability top of mind, Estrella initially focused on in-state options, but as she considered her options further, she realized that academic freedom and access to a more diverse learning environment were equally important, prompting her to prioritize out-of-state schools.
With Amy’s support, they strategized the best way to align Estrella’s needs with available financial aid options. That meant looking beyond sticker prices to evaluate schools based on academic fit, campus culture, and long-term opportunities. They talked through the anxieties of leaving home and the realities of navigating unfamiliar spaces.
For Amy, mentoring through ScholarMatch’s college access program meant being both caring and strategic. “It’s nurturing,” she says. “But it’s also like solving a puzzle. You’re looking at the majors, cost, distance from home—all of it at the same time.”
Twenty Applications to Find the Right Fit
Estrella applied to twenty schools, the maximum allowed on the Common App, an online platform that streamlines the college admission process. She was rejected from some schools and waitlisted from others. The mix of responses felt like an emotional rollercoaster, especially as many out-of-state schools she had hoped for did not come through.
“I was really scared I wouldn’t get into an out-of-state school,” she recalls. But Amy kept reminding her that the process only required one school to align academically and financially.
When American University’s decision arrived, Estrella couldn’t contain her excitement about moving to Washington, D.C.! “I screamed,” she remembers. “And then I cried when I saw the financial aid offer.”
All this hard work made Estrella think of Amy and of everything they had gone through together to get to this moment.
“Being first-generation, my family doesn’t really understand how college applications work, so I had to tell Amy first because she gets it,” Estrella added.
A Year of Guidance That Led to a Lasting Connection
Once accepted into college, Estrella transitioned into ScholarMatch’s Scholars Program, where she was paired with a college advisor who continues to provide support throughout her college years. The Scholars Program also offers students an annual scholarship designed to cover school-related expenses and other emergencies that may arise while in college.
With institutional aid and a scholarship from ScholarMatch, in partnership with the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, attending college away from home became a real possibility. Now in her second year at American University, Estrella is stepping confidently into spaces she once questioned.
She has met with White House interns and staff members and recently secured an internship with Just Rights for Children International, supporting a global event in New York focused on children’s rights and international advocacy.
“Through it all, Amy still reminds me that I belong in those spaces,” Estrella says.
This lasting connection also had a transformative impact on Amy’s life. While volunteering with ScholarMatch, Amy realized how much she loved supporting students. This inspired her to pursue formal training in college admissions counseling and become certified.
That’s the power of mentorship. It helps open doors to new opportunities while focusing on what matters most: building real human connections.
Although Amy’s formal role as Estrella’s college coach may have ended with Estrella's acceptance to college, their relationship continues to thrive. With every new question, college update, or a quick check-in just to say hi, their connection has grown far beyond the application process. Today, Amy remains a constant source of encouragement, cheering Estrella on every step of the way.
“She might be my mentor for life,” Estrella added.
Every year, ScholarMatch serves hundreds of first-generation students nationwide through our Destined for College program. This vital work is made possible by the generosity of our community of volunteers, donors, and partners who believe in the transformative power of education.
Amy and Estrella’s story is proof that mentorship can change lives. And you can also be part of that change. Step forward today and invest in a student’s future. Get involved—become a mentor and help a student be the first in their family to reach for their college dreams!
