What We Do
Our programs were designed to support students regardless of family income. To this end, we provide:
(Click each below to learn more)
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We match low-income students with experienced volunteer counselors for free essay and application support.
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We also connect low-income students with trained CEG coaches for free essay and application support.
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We offer pay-what-you-can spots on all our student courses and most of our counselor courses.
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We provide a wide range of pro bono workshops for students, teachers, and counselors.
For all our offerings, we provide free and paid options.
By the Numbers
Updated August 2022
Matchlighters
Launched: 2016
1,100+
students received free college counseling
130
colleges & universities around the world
750
volunteer counselors
CEG Scholars
Launched: 2020
329
students
70
colleges & universities around the world
143
counselors
Essay Boot Camps (CEG Live)
& Private Workshops
Launched: 2014
30,754
students reached via CEG Live
4,000+
students in public and charter schools, and community-based organizations
Pay-What-You-Can Courses
Launched: 2012
6,832
students
1,562
school-based counselors
712
counselors from community-based organizations
Free Resources
Launched: 2011
33 million
page views
How You Can Help
Counselors
Sign your students up for CEG Live.
Volunteer for Matchlighters.
Apply to become a Scholars Coach.
FAQ: What’s the difference between the Matchlighters and Scholars programs?
A: They are similar in that both programs provide 10 hours of one-on-one support to low-income students. The difference is that Matchlighters counselors are volunteers; Scholars Coaches receive training and a small stipend from CEG.
Become an Essay Reviewer.
Parents
Sign up for one-on-one counseling. We’ll support a low-income student thanks to you.
Enroll your student in an upcoming course. Help us keep the lights on.
Purchase an essay review. We’ll donate a review thanks to you.
Students
Tell your counselor about CEG Live. Remind them that with our pay-what-you-can option the program can actually be free.
Invite your parent or caregiver to our Parent Community. Again, if the subscription cost is too high, families can join for little or no cost.
Join our Discord community.
High Schools, Colleges, & Organizations
Check out our Partners page.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Matchlighters and Scholars programs again?
The programs are similar in that both provide 10 hrs of one-on-one support to low-income students. The main difference is that Matchlighters counselors are volunteers, while Scholars Coaches receive training and a small stipend from CEG.
How does CEG do all this? Does CEG receive funding?
Nope. We’re bootstrapped (and scrappy!). Our support comes from folks like you. And we get all this done because our team is amazing.
Is CEG hiring?
We (often) are. Learn more at our Careers page.