Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Beautillion Scholars Program in Baltimore: A College-Prep Track for Black Male High School Students

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. operates the Beautillion Scholars Program as a college counseling and mentorship initiative specifically designed for Black male high school students in Baltimore who are preparing for higher education. The program pairs participating students with fraternity members who serve as mentors, guides them through the college application process, and connect them to scholarship opportunities. Unlike broad high school college counseling offices that serve all students, this program targets a demographic historically underrepresented in four-year colleges and fills a gap in individualized guidance that speaks directly to the experiences and barriers these students face.

What the Beautillion Scholars Program Actually Is

The Beautillion Scholars Program operates as a chapter-based initiative run by Alpha Phi Alpha members and volunteers across Baltimore. The fraternity, founded in 1906 and the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization established for African Americans, frames the program as part of its broader commitment to education and community uplift. Participants typically enroll during their junior or senior year of high school, though some programs accept sophomores. The core structure combines one-on-one mentorship with group workshops on essay writing, standardized test preparation, FAFSA completion, and college selection. The program is tuition-free; there are no application fees for students.

The program's reach within Baltimore has grown incrementally. Participation numbers vary by chapter and academic year; contact the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapter directly for current enrollment capacity and active school partnerships, as this figure changes annually.

Services and Format

Mentorship is the program's centerpiece. Each student is matched with a fraternity member or volunteer who meets regularly (typically biweekly or monthly, depending on the chapter) to discuss college goals, review application drafts, and troubleshoot obstacles. Mentors help students identify colleges that align with their academic profile and interests, explain the difference between merit aid and need-based financial aid, and prepare them for conversations with college financial aid offices.

Group workshops typically cover SAT and ACT strategies, essay structure and personal statement development, and the mechanics of the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Some chapters coordinate with local colleges such as Morgan State University, Coppin State University, and Towson University to bring admissions representatives to workshops or arrange campus visits. Workshops are held in the evenings or on Saturdays to accommodate high school schedules.

There is no cost to participants. The program is funded through chapter dues, donations, and community partnerships. Families are not expected to pay registration, material, or session fees.

How It Compares to Other Baltimore College Counseling Options

Baltimore's public high schools employ college counselors, but caseloads often exceed 500 students per counselor, making individualized attention difficult. Many students report waiting weeks for a 20-minute meeting. Private college counselors in the Baltimore area typically charge $1,500 to $4,000 for a full application cycle, placing them out of reach for families with limited resources. College Kickstart and similar nonprofit programs offer group workshops and limited individual advising but are not specific to Black male students and do not include ongoing mentorship.

The Beautillion Scholars Program's strength is its free, ongoing mentorship model combined with cultural specificity. Mentors are men of color who have navigated higher education themselves, making them credible guides on campus culture and the realities of being Black at predominantly white institutions. The weakness is that availability depends on chapter activity and volunteer capacity in a given year, so consistency and responsiveness can vary.

For students who need intensive essay coaching or test prep that goes beyond group workshops, pairing the Beautillion program with a standalone SAT prep course or hiring a private tutor for 5-10 hours may be necessary. For students whose school counselor is responsive and accessible, the Beautillion program adds mentorship depth rather than replacing counselor guidance.

Who This Program Serves and Who It Does Not

The program is explicitly designed for Black male high school students in Baltimore who are college-bound. It works best for students who are motivated to attend a four-year college, can commit to regular meetings with a mentor, and benefit from peer and elder mentorship. It is particularly valuable for first-generation college students whose families have limited familiarity with the application process, and for students attending schools with under-resourced counseling departments.

The program does not serve elementary or middle school students, though some chapters run separate youth programs. It is not designed for students seeking trade or vocational training, community college pathways (though mentors may guide students to community college as a stepping stone), or non-college post-secondary options. Students who require specialized support for learning disabilities or behavioral health crises should continue working with their school's special services team alongside the Beautillion program.

First Visit and Getting Started

Enrollment typically begins in fall or early winter. Students are usually referred by a school counselor, a mentor who already knows them, or word-of-mouth from peers. The first step is contacting the Baltimore chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha directly to confirm active enrollment and to arrange an intake conversation. During this conversation, a program coordinator or mentor will discuss the student's college goals, academic profile, and what to expect from the program. Some chapters conduct a brief group orientation; others do one-on-one onboarding.

The student will be matched with a mentor, who will reach out to set a regular meeting schedule. Initial sessions often focus on assessing where the student stands (test scores, GPA, extracurriculars, college interests) and setting semester-long goals.

Hours, Contact, and Logistics

The program operates on a school-year calendar, typically September through May, with some chapters extending through summer. Workshop and mentoring sessions are scheduled in evenings (after 5 p.m.) and Saturdays to fit students' school schedules. Meetings take place in coffee shops, school buildings, community centers, and fraternity chapter houses, depending on mentor preference and location. There is no single centralized office.

To enroll, students should contact the Baltimore chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. directly through the fraternity's national website or through their high school's college counseling office. Specific chapter contact information and current workshop schedules change annually, so confirmation directly with the chapter is essential before applying.

The Beautillion Scholars Program addresses a real gap in Baltimore's college counseling landscape: free, culturally grounded mentorship for students who have the least access to private guidance and the most reason to benefit from a mentor who reflects their identity.