Bridges to College Programs in the Boston Area

Bridges to College programs help people who want to go to college, but who need to improve their academic skills.

These programs also help students fill out college and finanical aid applications, as well as make decisions about how college connects to the career paths that they hope to pursue.

In the Boston area:

• JVS, in collaboration with Quincy College, offers a two-phased Bridges to College program related to the Biotech field. The full name of the program is Biotech and Good Manufacturing Best Practices Certificate Program. The first phase is a 21-week remote program through JVS that focuses on biotechnology. The second phase is a 10-month, 22 credit Good Manufacturing Best Practices program at Quincy College. For more information, contact JVS at 617-399-3131.

• Cambridge Community Learning Center offers another Bridges to College Program, specifically for Cambridge and Metro North residents. The program runs annually from September to June, and has a partnership with BHCC. Students take a math class with CCLC that will help them prepare for the Accuplacer. They also take two credit-bearing, introductory English classes at BHCC. Those classes, which offer 3 credits each, are pre-requisites for many degree programs at BHCC. If interested, contact Ava Kiem at akiem@cambridgema.gov, 617-545-3860 or sign up for an information session. For more details, view the FLYER.

• Bunker Hill Community College offers a year-long Transitions to College Program that runs during spring, summer and fall semesters. It is now recruiting for 2026-2027. Free tuition, books, and materials are provided. This program is different from the JVS and CCLC models, in that while students begin with non-credit summer courses, in the fall, they move into regular college classes with their "Transitions to College" classmates. The Transitions program is meant for students who need some additional support as they ease into the challenges of a college curriculum. By providing those supports, students are far more likely to succeed rather than drop out. If interested, you must attend an information session as a first step in the application process. For information, contact Michael Raymond, Transitions to College Program Coordinator, at tcp@bhcc.edu.

• SNAP Path to Work / YMCA of Greater Boston offers a 30-week Career Advancement class to immigrants who are interested in further education and/or better employment. The program starts in September and runs until June. It is oriented both towards students who subsequently want to pursue higher education; and students who are seeking to start or advance in a career. You need an advanced level of English in order to participate. To provide as much flexibility as possible, the program is both part-time and hybrid. For more information and contact information, click HERE or contact Monica Chiem: mchiem@ymcaboston.org.