Macomb Community College Student Success Services. Low-Income Student Support

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1 Macomb Community College Student Success Services Low-Income Student Support

2 Student Support Programs Michigan Benefits Access Initiative (MBAI) Dreamkeepers Emergency Assistance Fund Community and College Resource Referral

3 Michigan Benefits Access Initiative (MBAI) Facilitate application process for public benefits utilizing MiBridges online application system Food Assistance Program ( Bridge Card ) State Emergency Relief (SER) Energy Services Connect student to existing support programs; benefits decision and delivery remain the role of the Department of Human Services (DHS)

4 Michigan Benefits Access Initiative (MBAI) Identify number of students living at or near the federal poverty level/guidelines Better understand our low-income students and how to increase their retention and success rate Help students with long-term strategies to stay in school and complete academic goals

5 Dreamkeepers Emergency Assistance Fund A program of Scholarship America Provides limited assistance to students for nonacademic financial emergencies Eligibility requirements Recent completion of a term at Macomb Current enrollment in at least six academic credits A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00

6 Dreamkeepers Emergency Assistance Fund Program ten months old: 169 applications 70 awards totaling $33,000 Average grant $470 Dreamkeepers participant persistence so far is 100% (fall to winter semester)

7 Dreamkeepers Emergency Assistance Fund Characteristics of applicants: Over 24-82% Women - 69% Single parent - 49% African American - 46% Income under $20,000-76% Most common requests: Housing/rent Auto repairs and gas Utilities Food assistance

8 Community and College Resource Referral Connect low-income students to existing resources on and off-campus Address lack of knowledge, misinformation, stigma, past frustration, time issues, etc. Leverage United Way network to provide targeted referrals based on zip code and area of need

9 Combining Supports Multiple supports at once increases stability and ability to remain in school Personal contact and follow-up connects student to the school and provides encouragement Increased knowledge of student needs allows us to improve services designed to support them

10 Student learns about services online, through referral, via marketing pieces, etc. Student contacts us for additional information. Administrative assistant screens student s eligibility for the various programs. Eligible students meet with the coordinator. Student is instructed of all necessary documentation upfront. Coordinator conducts student meeting, which could include one or all of the programs discussed: MBAI, Dreamkeepers, Resource Referral. Needs will vary by student and at different times in a student s education. Students that do not meet initial eligibility check are referred to relevant resources inside and outside the college. Enter student data into system in order to track participation and outcomes. Use system to follow-up with students and make targeted referrals. Through this information, determine the impact of the various programs on student retention and completion rates.

11 Activities and Engagement Financial literacy Offer workshops to keep students engaged and act as outreach to those in need. Tie in relevant campus services. Tax assistance Inform students of the services available through VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) sites. Connect to timely FAFSA completion. Potential collaboration with community agencies

12 Overall Goals Community college students are already an upwardly mobile population. Additional support helps them attain the necessary credentials for future economic stability. Engage students with campus support services who may not have used them before. Provide holistic support and referrals for academic and non-academic concerns. Collect data and evaluate impact of programs, to improve services and the ability to scale up number of students served.

13 Thank You Kristin Carey Program Coordinator Student Success Services Macomb Community College