College Reach Out Program (CROP)
The College Reach-out Program (CROP) is a statewide project designed to increase the number of students who successfully complete a postsecondary education. Its primary objective is to strengthen the educational motivation and preparation of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students in grades 6-12 who otherwise would be unlikely to seek admission to a community college, state university or independent postsecondary institution without special support and recruitment efforts.
The College Reach Out Program Offers:
- Tutoring
- College Campus Tours
- Week-long Summer Residency Program

- CPT/ACT/SAT/FCAT Preparation Courses
- Academic and Career Counseling
- Motivational Seminars
- Life Skills Seminars
- Mentoring
- Scholarship Assistance
- Cultural and Academic Enrichment field Trips
The College Reach Out Program Staff
Robert "Bobby" L. Welch
CROP Director
bwelch@coe.ufl.edu
(352)273-4366
Aminah Nichols
Assistant CROP Director
anichols@coe.ufl.edu
(352)273-4369
Qualifications for CROP Participation
Students must qualify for the College Reach-Out Program economically and academically. Students must meet a minimum of one criterion under both guidelines.
Academic Guidelines
Guideline |
Definition |
First Generation |
Potential first-generation-in-college student |
GPA < 2.5 |
Student's cumulative grade point average is below 2.5 |
No Level II-III Math |
No math courses at Level II or Level III in grades 9-11 on student's academic transcript |
No Level II-III Science |
No science courses at Level II or Level III in grades 9-11 on student's academic transcript |
Low FCAT Reading |
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) reading score below average |
Low FCAT Math |
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) math score below average |
Retained |
Student was not promoted to the next grade |
Suspended/Expelled |
Student was suspended or expelled from school |
Absent > 25 days |
Student was absent more than 25 school days |
Dropout Prevention |
Student participated in Dropout Prevention |
Writing Test |
Florida Writing Assessment Program score below average |
Low Reading Score |
Reading comprehensive score in the lower two quartiles on the most recent norm-referenced achievement test |
Low Math Score |
Math score in the lower two quartiles on the most recent norm-referenced achievement test |
Economic Guidelines
Guideline |
Definition |
< 185% Poverty |
Family's taxable income did not exceed 185% of the poverty level |
Participating in WAGES |
Family received temporary cash assistance under WAGES (Work and Gain Economic Self-sufficiency) |
Received Public Assistance |
Family received public assistance |
Free/Reduced Lunch |
Student eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch Program |