What is ICCAN?
Participants accepted to NYPL's free Intensive College and Career Access Network (ICCAN) attend fun, informative workshops to help prepare them for their college or career path after high school. Workshops include:
- Test prep for ACTs and SATs
- College search
- Essay-writing skills
- Getting strong recommendations
- Financial aid and scholarships
- College fairs
- Career fairs
Participants also get one-on-one guidance and support from trained Library staff on their postsecondary pathway, including help:
- Compiling their college list and figuring out which schools to apply to
- Crafting a successful college application
- Filling out financial aid/FAFSA forms
- Applying for scholarship and internship opportunities
- Building an eye-catching resume
What are the benefits?
Participants who successfully complete the program requirements (see below) are eligible to apply for a Magic Grant of $1,000 (for sophomores) or $1,500 (for juniors or seniors), which, if approved, you can use towards a college- or career-related project. Participation will also help you meet your goals for your future and is a great addition to your resume.
Do I qualify?
To apply, you must be in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the 2023–24 school year. You must also live or go to school in New York City.
What are the program requirements if I'm accepted?
- Get parental consent (if you are younger than 18), sign release forms, and attend an online orientation session.
- Attend 1–2 programs and 1–2 one-on-one counseling sessions per month between October and May until you reach a combined total of 30 programs & one-one-one sessions. Participants will be assigned to a home branch, but can attend virtual or in-person programs at any ICCAN branch location in order to fulfill these requirements.
- Attend one college or career fair; these can be virtual and offered online by any national, state, or city organization or institution, and can include the NYPL College Fair and/or Career Resources Fair for Teens.
- Complete a set of postsecondary readiness documents.
Hub Branches
Bronx
Allerton Library, Baychester Library, Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Bronx Library Center, Clason's Point Library, Eastchester Library, Francis Martin Library, Grand Concourse Library, High Bridge Library, Morris Park Library, Mosholu Library, Mott Haven Library, Parkchester Library, Throg's Neck Library, Tremont Library, Van Cortlandt Library, Arline Schwarzman Building, Wakefield Library, West Farms Library, Westchester Square Library, and Woodstock Library.
Manhattan
53rd Street Library, 67th Street Library, 125th Street Library, Bloomingdale Library, Chatham Square Library, George Bruce Library, Hamilton Grange Library, Harlem Library, Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library, Macomb’s Bridge Library, Riverside Library, Seward Park Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), Tompkins Square Library, and Washington Heights Library.
Staten Island
Charleston Library, Mariners Harbor Library, New Dorp Library, South Beach Library, and St. George Library Center.
Any Questions?
Email ccp@nypl.org with any inquiries.
NYPL's Annual College Fair
Wed, Oct 11 | 10 AM–1 PM
You're invited to join The New York Public Library at our fifth annual College Fair! Explore everything the Library and our partner organizations offer to help teens navigate college applications and admissions. More than 30 colleges, universities, and community-based organizations will be present to share information and resources with students and families. Workshops and hands-on activities will help you get the most from the college readiness resources and services we offer.
College & Career Pathways
Whether you're working on college applications or trying to figure out what career is best for you, The New York Public Library is here for you, with resources, individual counseling, college and career prep workshops, and programs to help you take the next big step.
College & Career Pathways has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation.
These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s overall commitment to our branch patrons and education programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.