York College of Pennsylvania and Children’s Home of York Launch Partnership to Expand College Access

York College of Pennsylvania and Children’s Home of York (CHOY), a leading child and family-centered social service organization, announced a new partnership to expand college access for CHOY high school students. The agreement provides eligible juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit while completing high school, and guarantees admission and scholarship support when they graduate.

The goal is simple: help more young people realize college is a possibility.

Through the partnership, eligible juniors and seniors connected with CHOY may enroll in York College courses, earn transferable college credit, and see what college-level classes are really like. They will be taking the same classes as York College students, with the same academic expectations and support.

“For students, that means momentum,” York College Vice President of Enrollment Marketing Brian Hazlett, Ed.D. said. “They can build confidence, reduce future college costs, and start picturing a future they may not have thought was possible.”

“This program is about opportunity,” said York College President Thomas D. Burns, Ph.D. “When students earn college credit early and know they will likely be accepted into York College, it can change how they see themselves and what they believe they can achieve.”

Under the agreement, eligible Children’s Home of York students who enroll full-time at York College and live on campus are eligible for scholarships of at least $10,000 per year and $4,000 per year for commuters. Additional merit-based awards may also be provided.

The partnership includes academic advising, admissions guidance, and financial aid workshops, ensuring students and their families have the guidance needed to understand their options and move forward with confidence.

“For generations, Children’s Home of York has seen how the right support helps York County families and youth in foster care build strong, successful futures,” said Ronald A. Bunce, Ph.D., LMSW, President and CEO of Children’s Home of York. 

“Many of the young people we serve simply need someone to believe in them and access to opportunities that help them move forward. This partnership with York College builds on our dedication to them by opening the door to higher education and showing students that their goals are possible, achievable, and worth planning for.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education for young people in the York community, providing academic opportunity and the long-term, relationship-based support students need to succeed.

The agreement also extends educational benefits and scholarship opportunities to Children’s Home of York employees and their families, supporting professional growth and degree completion. By investing in both students and adults who support them, the partnership strengthens the broader Children’s Home of York community and reinforces a shared commitment to education at every stage of life.

For students at the Children’s Home of York, college is no longer just a possibility. It’s a plan.