New Mexico College Application Campaign Site Coordinator Training October 2, 2014

New Mexico College Application Campaign Site Coordinator Training

October 2, 2014

Key Reasons forAmerican College Application Campaign

• Economic Competitiveness

• Changing Demographics

• Right Thing to Do

Lumina Foundation, A Stronger Nation through Higher Education, May 2014

Why ACAC?

New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico

“Sometimes a student going to college is as simple as someone helping them to apply.” (J. Watts, 2010)

THE BASICS

• Focus on first-generation• Occurs in the fall (Oct-Nov)• Takes place during the school day• Requires collaboration (K-12/PSE)• Utilizes existing networks• Complements current statewide

college-going/college-access efforts

• Low cost/no cost - volunteers• Provides admissions fee waivers

only to those who qualify

Statewide Steering

CommitteeState Coordinator

ACAC

ACAC Pilot High School

HS Site Coordinator

Students Apply to College!

ACAC Structure: State

and Local

ACAC Pilot High School

HS Site Coordinator

ACAC Pilot High School

HS Site Coordinator

Alaska Hawaii

2005

Alaska Hawaii

2008

Alaska Hawaii

2009

Alaska Hawaii

2010

Alaska Hawaii

2011

Alaska Hawaii

2012

DC

2013

Alaska Hawaii

2014

DC

PREPARING SCHOOLS FOR A COLLEGE APPLICATION CAMPAIGN

EVENT

Site Coordinator Manual www.acenet.edu/acac

Site Coordinator Manual www.acenet.edu/acac

Site Coordinator Manual www.acenet.edu/acac

Site Coordinator Manual www.acenet.edu/acac

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STATE dates:

Fee waiver policies:

FAFSA/College Goal dates:

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A COLLEGE APPLICATION EVENT

Share information and build awareness

Provide individualized advising

Assist with application completion

Engage parents and community

Make decisions and plan ahead

GOALS

Information Sharing & Awareness Building

Leverage and Enhance College-Going CultureCreate an open dialogue

– “Ask Me!” signs– College Wall– Door decorating contests– Morning announcements

Family information nights

College/career fairs

Outline the multi-step process for students & families

Individualized Advising

School Team

Student Preparation– College Research

Worksheet: Understanding Fit, Match, and Cost

– College Application Worksheet

– Application Fee Waivers– Utilizing Classroom Time

Application Support

• Volunteers• Create a celebratory

environment• Register for FAFSA PIN

• Hold programs during the school day

• Application follow-thru

Parental/Family Engagement

Getting the Word Out– Phone Blasts– Information Letters– School Marque– School Website– Friday Night Lights– Press Release– Mayoral Proclamation

Decision Making & Planning BEYOND the

College Application

• Completing the Financial Aid Process• Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters• College Signing Day/Decision Day

Students: Research OptionsCollege Board’s Big Future (non-profit)

Students: Research OptionsNCES – College Navigator(non-profit/gov)

Students: Research OptionsCollege Results Online (non-profit/policy)

Students: Research OptionsCenter for Student Opportunity (non-profit)

Students: Research OptionsState portal (non-profit/gov)

ACAC Student Match Exercise

ACAC Resources: http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ACAC-Resources.aspx

StudentsComplete College Application Worksheet

Essay or Personal Statement

StudentsComplete College Application Worksheet

StudentsComplete College Application Worksheet

Residency Status Questions

CAUTIONS

• Match is nuanced; school counselors and admissions counselors are in the best position to assist students identify a match

• Matching algorithms used by companies are proprietary knowledge of the company and not necessarily reflected of an individual campus’s formula for admission.

RECRUITING AND PREPARING VOLUNTEERS

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

Who?College admissions reps, financial aid officers, college advising corps members, college access professionals, retired teachers, local business and political leaders, parents

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

What?Greet students, answer questions, review applications, manage sign-in sheets, fill printer with paper, hand out “Next Steps” sheet, serve as motivational role models

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

Why?Engages community in the schools Highlights adult mentors Reinforces importance of continuing educationBrings additional resources to the task of increasing educational attainment

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

How?Newsletters, Presentations at meetings of local nonprofits, PSAs, Letters from the Principal and/or School Counselor, Personal contacts

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

Volunteer Orientation MeetingInform volunteers of tasks, gather contact information, review background check requirements, remind them to check school loyalties at the door, answer questions, and thank them!

THE DAY OF THE EVENT

College Application Day

• Hold the event• Keep records:

who and how many student appliedhow many applications were submittedhow many students registered for a FAFSA

pin• Keep a record of who volunteered and contact info• Hand out the “What Next” sheet

AFTER THE COLLEGE APPLICATION CAMPAIGN

EVENT

After College Application Day

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After College Application Day• Hold a debriefing session

with volunteers and school personnel – conference call or meeting

• Send thank you notes to volunteers

• Prepare a newspaper article about the success of the event

• Collect data requested at state level

• Present at conferences on your experiences

QUESTIONS?

GEAR UP NM

CONTACT INFORMATIONFeliz Romero

Feliz.romero@state.nm.us

American College Application Campaign Melissa Caperton mcaperton@acenet.edu (919) 602-3635

Bobby Kanoy bkanoy@acenet.edu (919) 489-4852

Joni Petschauer jpetschauer@acenet.edu (252) 241-5593

Joe Watts jwatts@acenet.edu (336) 407-5819