YES Prep College Fair

Public Colleges and Universities offer 4-year college degree programs.  Public colleges and universities receive support from state governments and are funded, in part, by tax dollars from the state. As a result, these universities offer discounted or "in-state" tuition to residents of their states. Public schools range from liberal arts colleges to land grant universities, and large flagship research universities.

Private college or university offers four-year programs. Admissions criteria can vary. Tuition for private colleges can appear  higher than public universities, but often offer more scholarship and financial aid.  

Community Colleges: all Houston Area community colleges will be represented including Houston Community College, Lone Star College, and San Jacinto Community College.  Students can learn about the opportunities available including 2-year associates, certificate programs, and the newly offered bachelors degree programs offered at Lone Star and San Jacinto that include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN);
• Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity (BAT);
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing and Trades Management (BAS-EMTM).

Students can also learn about pathways to 4-year degree programs from Community Colleges, such as the HCC Engineering Academies.

Meet Houston Community Colleges on Panel A6 and B4

Joining the military is also a pathway after high school. It can be a pathway to college through enlistment, then veteran benefits, or a pathway to college. 

• Military Academies: Extremely elite and selective, students receive full four-year scholarships. Service after graduation is required.
• ROTC: Train to be an officer while earning a Bachelor’s degree with Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Scholarships are available. This also includes Coast Guard CSPI.
• Enlistment: Requires a high school diploma. Veterans are eligible for money for college.

Participating recruiters include: 

• The United States Naval Academy
• The United States Coast Guard Academy
• The United States Air Force ROTC
• The United States Army ROTC
• The United States Coast Guard CSPI Scholarship Program for HBCUs and HSIs

All military recruiters will be part of Panel B10

Participating International Colleges include:

Trade & Technical Colleges offer training in specific careers, such as construction, trades (HVAC, electrician, etc.), auto mechanics, computer programmers.  In state of Texas, many trade colleges are for profit.  However Texas offers the Texas State Technical College System a community college offering certificates and associates degrees.  Additionally some local community college also offer technical certificate programs like The Lone Star College - CHI Center which offers cosmetology degrees. 

Learn about the programs during the Community College Panel, Panel A6.

HBCUs Participating

An HBCU, according to The Higher Education Act of 1965, is defined as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans." HBCUs are committed to the students success of their graduates.

A Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) is defined in federal law as an accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institution of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic or Latinx full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment.  Additionally, many HBCU qualify for Title V funding which help fund special initiatives on campus to promote Latinx student success and graduation.  Emerging HSIs are colleges with rising Latinx enrollment, which are expected to qualify for Title V grants in the near future.

The AANAPISI program, one of eight federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) programs, was established by Congress in 2007 as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. It was expanded in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act. The AANAPISI program provides grants and related assistance to AANAPISIs to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders and low-income individuals.

(dis)Ability services and learning difference services are provided by all colleges and universities under IDEA.  Some colleges and universities offer more comprehensive programs with coaching, expanded tutoring, etc. to support students with learning differences, ADD/ADHD, and/or on the autism spectrum. 

These colleges have special comprehensive programs beyond 504 accommodations:

Participating Local Colleges and Universities