NH high school students to get a jump on postsecondary planning at Granite Edvance’s Destination College event

Free annual event to be held April 6 at Saint Anselm College

Concord, NH – Destination College, Granite Edvance’s annual free college planning event for high school juniors and their families, will take place on Saturday, April 6, from noon to 5 p.m. at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. A longstanding tradition that has evolved to meet the changing needs of students, the 25th annual event will include workshops on a variety of practical topics, a panel discussion with young professionals from around the state, a college fair, and a campus tour. Students will go home with a wealth of resources to start the next leg of their education journey.

“Planning for the next step after high school can be an exciting experience for many students and their families,” said Granite Edvance CEO and President Christiana Thornton, who will be attending this year’s event as a parent. “I know firsthand that it can also feel overwhelming. Granite Edvance is here to support New Hampshire residents in finding their direction and funding their future, and Destination College was created to demystify the postsecondary planning process and give students a taste of the college experience so they can approach the next chapter with confidence.”

Highlights of this year’s event will include:

• An opening session featuring young professionals from around the state
• A variety of workshops led by Granite Edvance’s education and career counselors, featuring college admissions representatives, school counselors, and other college access professionals. Topics include “What to Expect in College Admissions for the High School Class of ’25,” “Making the Most of Your College Visit,” “Financial Aid and Scholarship Preview,” “Community College Pathways” and more
• A college fair featuring representatives from more than 60 colleges
• College-planning resources and fun giveaways

“Destination College is definitely one of the high points of our year, and this year I think we’re more excited than ever as we celebrate 25 years of helping young people take some of the first steps on their postsecondary journey,” said Karen Collins, a senior education and career counselor at Granite Edvance and one of the event’s organizers. “Not only that, but for many students this event is the doorway to all the really wonderful resources and services our team offers. We’re really excited to meet the Class of 2025 and let them know we’re here to support them every step of the way.”

Research shows that the complicated nature of the college application process represents a significant barrier to college access, and that a quarter of students start a college application but never complete it. By supporting students early in the process, equipping them with accessible information, and connecting them with experts who can help them along the way, Destination College helps break down common barriers to college access for NH’s students. “Destination College is fundamental to our mission of helping students navigate their education and career journeys,” Thornton said. “It’s a wonderful tradition that brings our team together to help students, and this year we’re also debuting as Granite Edvance. I’m looking forward to attending as a parent, sharing this experience with other families, and knowing we’re on this journey together.”