“We imagine a day when every young person reaches their full potential by graduating from college, regardless of their family’s financial capacity or college experience.” That is the mantra of ACCESS, a Massachusetts non-profit organization that is committed to ensuring that all young people have the financial information and resources to achieve their dreams of higher education.

Joseph Paige, formerly a history teacher at The High School of Commerce, runs the ACCESS program at Commerce. He was born in The Bronx and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he studied education. He taught at Duggan Middle School for one year and at Commerce for eleven years. He also coached freshman and junior varsity basketball for eleven years, and now has been an assistant coach at American International College for two years. His mom was an educator and he grew up in a similar way to many young people in Springfield. When he went to college, he realized that education is a springboard that has enabled him to help others.

ACCESS was started in Boston 25 years ago by a group of philanthropists. ACCESS concentrates on making college affordable, helping kids fill out financial aid forms, and look for scholarships. My Paige’s expectations are really high for this program. He is a real busy man with students stopping by his office constantly and his phone ringing off the hook.

Students have several things to do when they go use ACCESS. Seniors schedule an appointment to see him and fill out financial aid forms that helps them figure out what they have to pay. There is no pressure to do ACCESS if you are a senior. He wants every senior to take advantage of the program, but will not go chasing after them.

Eddie Gonzalez, a graduating senior at The High School of Commerce, has used Mr. Paige in helping him receive financial aid. “Mr. Paige was a very helpful asset to my long hard fought journey toward my collegiate career.” As a high school senior he was clueless when it came to financial aid, but the process was “really easy”. Eddie recommends that all upcoming seniors begin planning for college as soon as possible.

Mr. Izyk, a math teacher at Commerce has classes full of seniors. He said the idea is to help kids get into college, by providing them with the financial assistance they need to make it a reality.

Shenieka Lewis is also a graduating senior that has used ACCESS. She stated that the process was simple. All she had to do was bring in the necessary forms and fill out required information. Then she was told how much money she would receive. It took about 45 minutes. She advises all students to get financial aid advice from ACCESS.

The ACCESS Program has been a success thus far as many students have received the proper aid to pay for college. They can thank Mr. Paige, as they get his help for free and many people in his same position ask for pay. Mr. Paige has given the program a “B” grade for its first year, and he hopes that it will continue to improve and be in the “A” range next year. Regardless of the grade Mr. Paige has given the program, students at The High School of Commerce are grateful to have him and ACCESS at the school.