Challenges and Strategies for F1RST Generation Students

Transcription

1 Challenges and Strategies for F1RST Generation Students Tried and true techniques for helping students through the college application process Candice Mackey - Culver City High School Karen Grace-Baker - DaVinci Design High School

2 What Will Be Discussing Today? First generation students and the challenges facing them Reviewing some strategies and techniques that have worked for us Answering your questions about how to create and implement some of the programs that we ve created

3 Challenges facing first generation students Definition of first generation Who are they? Why are they important? Why are their challenges unique? What is the best way to reach them?

4 What does it mean to be first generation? Multi-layered and not as clear cut as the label Students whose parents did not complete a four year undergraduate degree What are the categories of first generation? Students whose parents received college degrees as adults Students whose parents whose college education was outside of the U.S.

5 Why do we often times miss or misclassify first generation students? Many students do not know that they are first generation Some parents do not disclose to their children that they did not complete their degree program If a student has a sibling who attended college, they assume that they are NOT first generation Some students assume that if their parents attended any type of college, that they are NOT first generation

6 What are some general strategies that we can use to ensure that we classify first generation students? Student and parent questionnaires and meetings Ask first generation question as part of intake and parent meetings Explain benefits of first generation status Student Support Programs EOP programs FYE programs On campus support services Give clear definition of first generation Financial assistance Summer and access programs (i.e. Questbridge, Fly-in programs) Summer bridge/early Start programs

7 What are some general strategies that we can use to ensure that we classify first generation students? Include family in college conversations to understand fears/apprehension Understand that family unit is broad and often extended Many opinions, misconceptions, rumors about college experience Determine if parent wants to include student in meeting To protect privacy concerns that parents may have with disclosure To assist in understanding parent concerns and objectives for college Ascertain family resources or financial commitment for college

8 What are some general strategies that we can use to ensure that we classify first generation students? Identify financial and personal limitations/constraints prior to determining final college list Do they understand the difference between a 2 year and 4 year college degree? Are parents willing to contribute to cost of college? Do parents know the cost of a college education in 2015? Are parents expecting student to commute? Define how far, far away is? Delineate true cost to commute from home?

9 How large is the first generation population? According to a 2010 study, (NCES) 50% of the college population are first generation students.

10 What are some of the challenges facing first generation students? Parental guidance is difficult because parents have not navigated the college system themselves Intimated by the system and their lack of knowledge Fear/shame that they as parents don t know how to guide Lack of resources at many high schools to provide guidance Large caseloads prevent counselors from identifying and assisting Also limits college and financial opportunities (under-matching) Lack of college-minded peers to guide and support

11 What are some of the challenges facing first generation students? Assume that they will be able to work to pay for college - More likely to come from lower income households - More likely to attend college for better jobs or specific professions College price tag and sticker price scares them - Fear of indebtedness after college and inability to pay back Financial Aid forms are a frightening prospect - View them as difficult to complete and don t understand the importance of deadlines - View them as intrusion of privacy

12 Case studies Recognized barriers to college application completion process Not Familiar with ALL COMPONENTS of application TYPES of applications (UC, CSU, Private) LIMITED knowledge of colleges (other than UC and CSU) NON Completion of FINANCIAL AID information Incomplete FAFSA Unfamiliar with CSS Profile Non submission of Cal Grant applications or submitted too late

13 Case studies Recognized barriers to college application completion process FAILURE To Meet DEADLINES For College Components Official SAT/ACT test scores to colleges Placement tests at CSUs Setting up college portals Waiting to SEE Who Gives The Most Amount of Money For College Introduce merit aid and full financial need colleges Invite college financing representative to introduce cost of college Introduce use of Net Cost calculator

14 Strategies that we ve used FAFSA Workshops COLLEGE READINESS SCHOLARSHIP FUND (College applications, SAT/ACT score reports, EPT/ELM) Monthly Coffee And Chat With The Counselors

15 Strategies that we ve used Naviance Family Connection and College Board including career assessments Many first generation students don t know the difference between a doctor, nurse, medical assistant Host college and career fairs to familiarize students with various career paths Lunch and Learn College visits They focus on titles and professions that they are familiar with College fair RACC as resource Local and out of state tours

16 Case Study and Strategies/Solutions

17 Strategies used for first generation students STUDENTS AND PARENTS WERE STRESSING ABOUT COMPLETION OF FAFSA Were concerned about having their taxes done on time Had complicated family structures that created challenges Perceived difficulty prevented completion by many parents SOLUTION: Create an easier way to ensure that FAFSA completion was high

18 Strategies used for first generation students What did we do? FAFSA workshops at our school site In computer lab at school Hands on/after work hours (5:30-7:00pm) Two opportunities (late January, late February) Marketing at all opportunities (blog, phone message, flyers, parent meetings) Provided parents with information on what to bring to workshop Required RSVP to attend (create sense of urgency) Moderator is bilingual(english/spanish) Parent and student leave with tangible product completed FAFSA No cost to us

19 Strategies used for first generation students Results: Now standard practice at our school (3 years running) Usually full attendance at workshops Word of mouth encourages other parents to attend Not as difficult as I thought it would be, I completed mine at the workshop, There s someone there that can help you, You can do it in Spanish too Completion rate for FAFSA by March 2 date correlates closely with % of students attending 4 year colleges Increases Cal Grants for students

20 Strategies used for first generation students CASE STUDY PROBLEM: Students MISSED opportunities for college acceptances due to lack of $ for fee waivers and testing -College applications -SAT/ACT score reports -EPT/ELM testing SOLUTION: Create a mechanism to assist students in payment of fees

21 Strategies used for first generation students What did we do? Presented problem to our leadership and pitched for funding College readiness scholarship fund Available to students who don t qualify for FARL, but are in need Available if students inquire or counselor knows Can be used for several purposes College applications SAT/ACT score reports EPT/ELM testing CSS Profile fees

22 Strategies used for first generation students Results: Now standard practice at our school (3 years running) We use at our discretion, but must document each student who receives No stigma attached, because only counselor and student know Reduces rate of colleges rescinding offers and incomplete applications Increases college application completion rates

23 Strategies used for first generation students CASE STUDY PROBLEM: Parents were missing information because they couldn t attend evening information nights or school meetings Conflicting work schedules Multiple children/events/ priorities *SOLUTION* Create another mechanism to allow parents to participate and receive information

24 Strategies used for first generation students What did we do? Created morning event to coincide with drop off time Monthly Coffee and Chat event - Second Tuesday of the month - Free coffee and snack - Any grade level can attend - One hour drop-in from 8am-9am

25 Strategies used for first generation students Results: Now standard practice at our school Often open ended, some months have specific topics Forum for parents to share experiences, ask questions Opportunity for various grade level parent interaction Increases parent participation with counselors

26 Strategies used for first generation students CASE STUDY PROBLEM: Students were pursuing colleges based on MAJOR and Professional tracks (pre-med/pre-law) and dismissing certain colleges *SOLUTION* Create opportunity for students to explore specifics about careers to better inform and educate them

27 Strategies used for first generation students What did we do? Created opportunities for career exploration using tools like Naviance Family Connection, College Board and other online tools (MyNextMove.org-Dept of Labor tool) Introduced Career fair / Career days, field trips to companies, etc. for students to meet and talk to people in various professions

28 Strategies used for first generation students Results: Established weekly Lunch & Learn workshops More exposure to different career paths and requirements Job shadow matching Engages parents and family community

29 What are some other strategies to help my students complete the college application process? Start talking about college early/college going culture Post college admissions information with average GPA & Test scores Have students apply for summer college programs in 10 th and 11 th grades Have students attend college fly-in programs Open up college admissions visit times to lower grades (junior) Offer college readiness seminars

30 Contact Information Karen Grace-Baker, Lead College Counselor Candice Mackey, Counselor DaVinci Design High School Culver City High School