The Student Expedition Program (STEP) College-Prep and Leadership Program is now accepting applications from high school sophomores. Applications are due by Nov. 19.

STEP equips low-income, first-generation, college-bound Arizona high school students with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills to successfully transition to college and obtain a college degree.

Eighty-seven percent of STEP alumni are in college or have graduated from college. Since the College-Prep program’s inception in 2011, 100 percent of STEP’s graduates have gone directly to college and are on track to becoming college graduates. They are attending all three Arizona state universities as well as top-ranked schools nationwide.

To qualify, sophomores must be low income (qualify or slightly above qualifying for free/reduced lunch); first-generation (neither parent has a 4-year college degree); excelling academically (un-weighted GPA of 3.6 or higher); and taking honors classes and on track to take AP (or IB) level classes next year.

For a complete program description and to apply, go to www.stepexpedition.org/apply.html.