NACAC has combined the Guiding the Way to Higher Education: Step-by-Step to College Workshops for Students curricula with resources from the Families, Counselors and Communities Together (FCCT) manual to create the Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities.

Revised in 2017, the curricula—presented in four sections, for elementary school students (grades K-5), middle school students (grades 6-8), early high school students (grades 9 through first semester 11) and late high school students (grades 11-12), offer training for counselors and others who work with underrepresented and underserved students to provide comprehensive tools for meeting the needs of first-generation students and their families.

Developed by NACAC members Mary Lee Hoganson, Phyllis Gill and Joan Mudge, the Step by Step curricula were presented at the NACAC national conference in 2008. NACAC Human Relations Committee members Nancy Caine, Patty Montague and Bridget Herrera conducted training on the FCCT manual during the session, and the program has had continued success.

Since its creation, the Step by Step curricula has been updated and maintained by NACAC’s Education and Training Team; the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee; and the Professional Development Committee. The Elementary School modules were created with the assistance of ASCA School Counselor of the Year Finalists, Rebecca Lallier and Samantha Vidal.

All of the below downloads are available for free, but you will need to register.

Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning: Download for free.

Download Elementary School (Grades K-5)
Download Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Download Early High School (Grade 9-Semester 1 of Grade 11)
Download Late High School (Grades 11-12)
Download Additional Resources (Financial Aid)

Powerpoint Presentations:

All Powerpoint presentations available at this link

  • Building a Foundation for Educational Success
  • Setting the Stage for Dreams to Become Reality
  • Charting a Challenging High School Experience
  • Follow the Road to College
  • Paying for College

Spanish Powerpoint Presentations:

All Spanish-language Powerpoint presentations available at this link

  • ESENCIAL 1: Cómo construir la base del éxito académico
  • ESENCIAL 2: Cómo preparar el escenario para que los sueños se hagan realidad
  • ESENCIAL 3: Planificación de la escuela secundaria como experiencia desafiante
  • ESENCIAL 4: Siga el camino hacia la educación superior
  • ESENCIAL 5: Cómo pagar la educación superior