COLLEGE-GOING TOOLKIT

Transcription

1 COLLEGE-GOING TOOLKIT Information and Resources for Faith-Based Communities to Assist Members in Pursuing their College Dreams 15K Faith Action Team The purpose of this toolkit is to provide leaders in faith-based communities with the information and resources needed to help guide their members in the pursuit of a postsecondary education. Partners

2 March 17, 2012 Dear Faith Leaders: This toolkit comes to you saturated with the belief that you and your ministry will impact our community with strong tenacious leadership in the area of promoting higher education attainment. We must partner to create and cultivate a College-going and a College-finishing culture in our African- American community. Our communities are economically distressed because of the lack of a highly educated, trained and skilled workforce. The Faith community has historically given leadership to the process of education of all people. Houses of worship of every kind generally implement some method of education for congregants to aid in their development in faith. We all know that even the gift of faith is primarily based on knowledge attained. Please understand the important contribution we need you to provide. We need you to provide emphasis through your preaching and teaching ministries on the importance of higher education attainment. Education is not a threat to faith, but rather is a means of enhancing one s ability to believe and ultimately have skills and means to act upon one s faith. From your pulpit, through your congregation s education, youth and other adult ministries, please use the ideas and concepts in this toolkit and others that you may also currently use or otherwise locate to equip you and others for the task at hand. This toolkit is the result of a great amount of collaborative prayer and unified work led by the Louisville Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition s 15K Faith Action Team. We believe it is important that all African-American citizens know how to attain higher education thus closing the achievement and opportunity gaps that currently exist. This will require the distinct presence and participation of the Faith institutions of the African-American community to get the job done. Your leadership will make it happen. We anticipate this how-to toolkit will give you tremendous information and insight as you lead all persons (i.e. children, youth, young adults and senior adults) in your congregation toward Associates and Bachelors Degrees and beyond. Higher education attainment will assist in the elimination of poverty and many other social ills and will prepare our people to receive higher-wage employment opportunities which will further enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, neighborhoods and churches. May your ministry be blessed as these tools are shared and utilized. May you experience holistic growth and development among the ones you are called to serve. Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Frank M. Smith, Jr. President Louisville Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition

3 15K Faith Action Team College-Going Toolkit Leadership Section This section of the toolkit contains information and resources that may be used by faith community leaders to help guide their members in pursuit of their college dreams. The toolkit is intended to serve as a guide. New resources and information are frequently updated so we encourage you to contact local education institutions for additional support. The 15K Faith Action Team is an integral part of the 15K Degrees Initiative, a collective of organizations and individuals committed to mobilizing and engaging Louisville s African American community in support of 55,000 Degrees a targeted plan to raise education levels in our community by an additional 40,000 bachelor s degree holders and 15,000 associate s degree holders by the year To learn more visit Acknowledgements: Our sincere appreciation is extended to the following individuals and organizations for their assistance with the toolkit. 15K Faith Action Team Members Destiny Grant Canaan Community Development Corporation Louisville Urban League Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition (IMC) Jenni Edwards, Louisville College Access Network Kevin Fields, Louisville Central Community Centers Council for Opportunity in Education 55,000 Degrees Printed - April

4 RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D. Executive Summary Extraordinary Significance of Religious Practice: The social sciences show religious practice has very beneficial effects on the educational attainment of children. It may well trump income in its effects on educational outcomes. The direct positive effects of religious practice by the student include: Higher grade point averages, more time spent on homework, and a significant decrease in high school drop-out rates. All these hold even more so for children from low-income neighborhoods. Religious practice benefits the poor more than it does those children who are relatively well-off, likely because religion is one of the very few well-functioning institutions the poor can readily access and rely upon. The Pathways of These Educational Gains: Between religious practice at home and educational attainment in school lie the pathways to this outcome the means by which religious practice influences educational performance. These include internalized values and norms, strong work habits, high personal expectations, and lower rates of risky behaviors. Families that share religious involvement, and parents who have stable marriages, inculcate these values and expectations in their children. Indirect positive effects of religious practice help students to: Internalize values and norms that help achievement, Foster high personal expectations, internal locus of control, productive routines, and Avoid socially deviant behavior. Familial and communal practices lend further advantages: Religious families tend to be cohesive and stable, to plan for students futures, and to expect much of them. Religious peers tend to be more academically oriented, and the resulting peer group encourages academic engagement. Churches offer students resources, community, and mentorship. As academic institutions religious schools are more effective. After-school religious activities offer a structured alternative to hanging out. Negative Outcomes: For some, religious practice impedes educational achievement; more fundamentalist religious groups tend to consider education detrimental to students religious convictions and often discourage higher education. 2

5 Introduction Be a church that fosters education and learning. Create a college-going culture for your members and enable them to achieve academic success and complete their degree. This toolkit will help you do just that by providing information and resources to help guide your members to college. This toolkit will give you the facts and the tools your church needs to encourage members to aspire for and complete their degree. It provides resources to help make college more affordable and their transition to or back to college manageable. It also suggests ways you can offer them support in balancing studies with their work and personal lives. You are not alone. Other churches and organizations have recognized this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their members, the future of their church and community, and the prosperity of our economy. Local Resources Boys and Girls Club To contact the Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana, call Jennifer Helgeson at and visit GO College Louisville To contact GO College Louisville, June Demus at jdemu01@louisville.edu Jefferson Community and Technical College TRIO Programs To contact JCTC TRIO programs, Wynobie Williams at wynobie.williams@kctcs.edu Jefferson County Public Schools To contact JCPS, Pamela Royster at Pamela.royster@jefferson.kyschools.us and Carol Montgomery at carol.montgomery@jefferson.kyschools.us Kentuckiana Works TRIO Contact, Debbie.lindsey@kentuckianaworks.org Louisville Urban League Contact, University of Louisville TRIO Programs Contact UofL TRIO programs, Mary Thorpe at mary.thorpe@louisville.edu 3

6 HOW TO...Promote College Knowledge What is it? College knowledge includes a variety of topics to assist members who are going or returning to college. This toolkit provides valuable information to help guide your members back to college including affordability options, college education fairs and support opportunities such as mentoring programs and College Advocates. What can you do? Back-to-college information and guidance should be available to your members in a variety of venues. Below you will find suggestions and resources you can disseminate to your members on programs, courses, advising and financial assistance. Programs and Degrees: Each college in Greater Louisville has a website with information on its programs and courses. However, members can be quickly overwhelmed researching each site. You can make their search easier by providing links on your church website (like those below) to degree programs and courses. GoHigherKy: Information on post-secondary education in Kentucky Kentucky Virtual Campus: Online degree programs and courses offered by Kentucky postsecondary institutions KnowHow2GoKy: Information on accessing postsecondary education including a section for adults returning to college Advising: Greater Louisville is fortunate to have the KentuckianaWorks College Access Center (KCAC), which provides free educational, financial aid, and career counseling services to adults returning to college. Many of the colleges and universities in the Greater Louisville region also provide one-on-one advising. Individual college advising is critical to ensuring college success. Signature Partnership Education Access Center: College Connection Initiative The Signature Partnership Education Access Center is a partnership of the Jefferson Community and Technical College, Simmons College of Kentucky, Spalding University and University of Louisville. The SPEAC Center offers free advising to adult learners seeking assistance with completing a GED, finishing a degree or starting graduate school. Call for an appointment or visit during these hours: Monday Thursday 9:00am 5:00pm. The SPEAC Center is located on the campus of Simmons College of Kentucky in Parrish Hall 1018 S. 8 th Street. 4

7 Financial Aid: Many members going or returning to college will need the necessary tools to navigate the financial assistance process. There are many resources available, including the following: The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) provides on-site financial aid counseling and advice for your members. You can schedule an appointment for a financial aid counselor to speak to members by contacting KHEAA. To schedule a financial aid Counselor, visit the KHEAA website and search for College Info Road Show : Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is a college financial aid program run by the Federal Department of Education. A completed FAFSA form will help determine your members eligibility for federal student aid from at least nine federal aid programs, including Pell grants, as well as hundreds of state-sponsored financial aid programs. ( Include this link to the FASFA filing options on your church website: Please refer to the Affordability section of this Toolkit for more information. HOW TO...Promote a College-Going Culture within the Church What is a college-going culture? College-going culture refers to the environment, attitudes, and practices in churches that encourage members to obtain the information, tools, and perspective to enhance access to and success in college. Three necessary elements are: 1. Members learn about options for their future, careers and the education they require, as early as elementary school, with a specific focus beginning in middle school. 2. Convey the expectation that all members can prepare for the opportunity to attend and be successful in college. 3. Churches give students the same message of high expectations for their future. In addition to college-going, the broad goal is for members to believe they can have a great future, and that they can plan and prepare for many options leading to a creative and productive life after high school. Members may think they know what they want, but 5

8 we know their interests and career aspirations may and most likely will change, and they need to be prepared for those possibilities. Members need to know that there are many paths they can take to have a successful life journey. Adapted from: HOW TO...Promote a College-Going Culture within the Church How can the church build and support a college-going culture? College Talk clear, ongoing communication about college, so that all students develop a college-going identity College Clubs Essay contest based on college application questions Include student updates (honor roll, attendance, etc.) in church bulletins and announcements Clear Expectations communicating clear and consistent expectations for college-going by members and Church leadership Frequent communication about college options Ongoing opportunities to discuss college preparation Information and Resources students should have access to up-to-date comprehensive college information and churches should build college knowledge infrastructure College-related periodicals, ACT/SAT materials, financial aid materials, college catalogs College Advocate Model all interactions with church members are a college advising opportunity College Advocates attend College Advocate training College Advocates have ongoing collaboration with each other College Advocates distribute information via workshops and other information sessions Supporting Academic Readiness students should have access to opportunities for academic support Tutoring programs 6

9 Workshops on test prep, the ILP, financial planning, and the pre-college curriculum Communities of Practice and/or study groups Church Leadership Involvement Church Leadership should understand their role and opportunities to engage students Create a ministry that focuses on supporting a college-going culture Room decorations and college corners College Talk in Sunday School and Bible Studies Family Involvement family members should have opportunities to gain college knowledge and understand their role Attend college and career fairs Parent workshops to learn about college preparation, financial planning Parents supported in their belief that their children are college material College Partnerships have active links with local colleges and universities that can lead to field trips, college fairs, and academic enrichment programs College dress days, door decorating contests, guest speakers Mentoring programs Campus visits Adapted from: Building a College Culture: Needs, Goals, Principles, and a Case Study. McDonough, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies HOW TO...Select and Engage a College Advocate What is it? The College Advocate helps church members through the complex process of college and career preparation by working with them directly, connecting them with community resources, and encouraging them to succeed. How does it work? The College Advocate will advocate for church members, network with programs and professionals in the community and report their experiences, successes and challenges. Specific activities may include: Guiding members in completing and submitting college and financial aid forms Tracking important action steps and deadlines; reminding members as necessary Reviewing college applications and scholarship essays 7

10 Referring members to needed services: financial aid assistance, academic advising, workshops on college success, test prep and study skills classes, alternate education programs Arranging college campus tours, accompanying members when appropriate Assisting members to locate community resources such as computer labs to search for college, career, and financial aid opportunities Connecting members with career exploration activities and employment opportunities Qualifications: The College Advocate must be able to: Understand the issues hampering education success Be both encouraging and honest Listen with objectivity, empathy and patience Manage emotionally intensive situations and disclosures Conduct research on the internet and in the community Guide members through activities that build skills in self awareness, decision making, action planning and problem solving Motivate, cajole and inspire through positive support HOW TO...Establish and Operate Church-Based Programs and Activities How does the church implement education programs and services such as Christian education, youth leadership, GED programs, 15K Sunday, and special contests (I.e. oratorical, spelling bees, etc.)? Assign a Leader Develop a plan, a time line, including program start date, and checklist to guide activity towards launching the program. Refer frequently to the timeline and checklist and hold a pre-launch meeting to review plans and accomplishments. Set up and organize files to manage program information and records, develop a method for tracking financial information and make contact with other organizations. Collaboration with External Entities Identify potential community partners and resources based on needs. Recognize sponsors. Complete an alignment partnership plan that specifies how partners intend to work together to support programs. 8

11 Aligning Activities with Schools Communicate with schools about upcoming events so they can share with students. Build relationships with school-based Family Resource and Youth Service Centers. Keep state and local school curriculum standards in mind during program planning. Maintain open communication with school staff. Organize Volunteers Consider a survey of church members to assess interest, preferences and volunteer availability. Meet with volunteers and provide training. Recognize volunteer efforts. Access to Financial Resources Research the costs of the outreach program and potential funding resources. Develop a budget. If the outreach program depends heavily on fund-raising, establish a committee to plan and conduct fund-raising efforts. Communication Make an announcement to the congregation about the program and report to church leadership as plans continue. Inform the public about the outreach program. Develop printed materials that describe the program, add information to the church website, send postcards to community partners Update the congregation and add the program to community information and referral databases. Provide Curriculum, Training and/or Resources for Programs and Activities Procure equipment, training, and materials needed for the program. Make sure to provide a safe space and environment for members. Ensure programs and activities are based on data driven strategies and best practices. Include academic aspects into programs (ex: dedicate at least half of program time to homework). Recognize program participants. 9

12 HOW TO Host Events How do I host an event at my church such as test prep, financial aid workshops, and college and career fairs? Extend an invitation to higher education College fairs provide a great way for students and parents to get information about a lot of different colleges at once. You can arrange host your own college fair, and can work with local churches. Scheduling and planning Choose the date early several months in advance. Note that college fairs are often held in the fall for seniors and in the spring for juniors. Avoid conflicts with other key events and let colleges know about your event as soon as possible. Coordinate scheduling with other church events and activities to ensure adequate space and parking. Budgeting finances and space Set up a budget early in your planning. Typical expenses include table rental, and food and bottled water for the reps. Explore the possibility of community partnerships local restaurants and party-rental companies may want to support the event. Determine how much space you have available. Keep in mind that popular colleges might need larger spaces maybe separate rooms. You can expect that 75 percent of invited colleges will send a representative. If you have space for 75 reps for example, you can invite 100. For a list of local colleges and universities, please refer to College Contacts, list at the end of this section. Coordinating invitations Invite colleges that: Are local Previously sent reps to your church You have visited Your students plan to apply to Send invitations to colleges four months before the fair. Communicate directly with the reps. Upon accepting your invitation to participate, colleges will send contact information for the rep who will attend. Get in touch with them and ask them to come an hour early to get a good parking spot and unload their materials. Let them know of any diverse or special populations attending your church, so they can bring appropriate materials. 10

13 Make announcements about the college fair at Bible study, Sunday School, church announcements, and in your church s bulletin. For a September fair, for example, you would make announcements in February and send a reminder in June. Send formal invitations to students and their families about three weeks before the fair. If you are collaborating with several churches, consider using other community resources to get the word out. For instance, advertise in a local newspaper or on a marquee at the local arena. Preparing for the event Provide signage for colleges that don't have proper identifying banners. Print and distribute a list of questions to ask college representatives to students and their families. Provide an evaluation form so that college reps, students and families can give you feedback to use in planning the next fair. HOW TO...Increase Participation in Events How do I encourage church members to attend events? Get off to a good start with families Make parents truly welcome Help parents see the value of being involved Offer child care and/or transportation, if available Use the power of communication (written and verbal) Say thank you from the heart Why don't church members participate in events? Limited time and work commitments Child care Transportation Don t feel welcomed Think it doesn t matter Family stress How do I communicate with church members about events? Create survey asking church members about their preferences and needs (best times, info they want to learn, transportation and child care issues, etc) Call the church member directly to invite them to the meeting Send an reminder Call the day before to remind 11

14 HOW TO...Understand Potential Barriers to Educational Attainment What are problems blocking high school and college success? Family members and friends may not support going or returning to college and therefore face alienation and tension. A clash of cultures can exist which can result in lack of support or understanding. Students often have beliefs and excuses for why they can t attend college that keep them from having the opportunity to make this choice. Some typical examples are: Nobody in my family has ever gone to college before, my grades are not good enough for college, I can t afford it, I don t know how to apply or where I want to go, college will be too difficult for me, I m not sure that I ll fit in, I don t know what I want to do with my life anyway, I can t go to college full time, I just want to get a good job and make lots of money. Many parents do not have extensive experience with higher education (or come from other countries with different educational systems), believe it is too expensive for their children to attend, lack information about college readiness and the preparation they need to support the dreams they have for their children. Financial issues, such as lack of knowledge on how to pay for college or financial barriers such as having to work, can also impede a student s ability to succeed. Academic preparation What are some proven strategies to support success? Mentors Financial education Financial aid advising and financial education are important and valuable tools to address this barrier. Academic support study skills, academic intervention and advocacy, skill building workshops, study groups Multiple pathways Leadership and community involvement opportunities 12

15 HOW TO...Access Family Support How do I connect church members with community-based services? It is important to connect members with services that may help them. Often times, it is difficult to determine who to call and individuals may have a hard time following up making the call. You can assist church members in connecting with the right resource by using some of the following resources: Metro United Way 211: is a single number to call when you don t know how to call. This easy to remember phone number connects people to health and human services, community needs, and civic involvement opportunities. Calls to are free, confidential and available 24/7 Louisville College Access Network Directory: school, college, government, and community contacts related to supporting all aspects of student success (Appendix) Local church ministries: Many local churches offer assistance with food, transportation, and clothing. Local community centers: Community Centers such as the Louisville Central Community Center, Presbyterian Community Center, and the Louisville Urban League offers financial literacy training, parent support groups, and adult/family services. 13

16 HOW TO...Understand College Affordability What is it? College affordability refers to the cost of going to college including tuition, books, fees and other materials, as well as access to financial assistance. These costs are often seen as a barrier for those who want to return to college. For those who know there could be financial assistance, many believe it is too complicated and confusing to search for and apply for financial aid. This does require some research and paperwork. However, there are many avenues of help for those willing to commit to the pursuit of a Bachelor s Degree, and we can help your members with this. How does it work? Kentucky residents attending a Kentucky college can expect to pay significantly less tuition than a Kentucky resident attending college outside of Kentucky. Exceptions are out-of-state colleges with a cost reciprocity agreement. In April of 2007, a new Kentucky and Indiana tuition reciprocity agreement was approved. This agreement applies only to the following publicly funded institutions: Indiana University Southeast, University of Louisville, Ivy Tech Community College, and Jefferson Community and Technical College. Exceptions also exist for online classes that are offered without regard for a student s state of residence and cost the same as in-state tuition. The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) provides information about college costs in Kentucky: HOW TO...Understand College Affordability There is a variety of financial assistance available to help pay the cost of attending college: Grants Awards based on needs that do not need to be repaid. Scholarships Awards based on achievement academic, athletic, or service. These are merit-based and do not need to be repaid. Work-Study Part-time employment that lets a student earn money toward a college education either on or off campus. Student Loans Money borrowed from a bank, the government, or a school. A student loan must be repaid. However, low interest rates are available, and repayment doesn t start until a student leaves school, drops below part-time status, or graduates. 14

17 Conversion Scholarships/Loans Scholarships that require a student to provide certain services for a period of time. If they do not, they have to repay the scholarship with interest. Waivers These eliminate certain costs for students who meet certain qualifications set by the post-secondary institution. Military Benefits Financial aid offered to individuals (or their dependents) who were, are, or will be in the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information on types of financial aid, please visit the KHEAA website: What can you do? The key to helping members return to college is making access to information simple and convenient. You can place college financial information on your church homepage. You also can post links to online resources such as Kentucky Higher Education assistance Authority (KHEAA) or the Kentuckiana College Access Center HOW TO...Establish a Scholarship Program What is it? Scholarship programs provide college financial assistance for members based on a variety of criteria and may be awarded based on a career path or on financial need. How does it work? There are two basic types of scholarship funds: endowed and annual. Endowments refer to investments where a portion of earnings is awarded as scholarships. Endowment scholarships are funded each year with the revenue from the endowment fund. An annual scholarship can either be a one-time amount or renewed each year through an endowment or your operating budget. Once your church decides which type of scholarship will be given, an application should be developed and members will go through a selection process. What can you do? Determine the type, amount, and duration of your scholarship (Appendix) Create an application and establish selection criteria. A sample is included for 15

18 your use. Establish a selection committee or designate an individual to review applications and choose a recipient (or recipients) for your church. Sample Scholarship Criteria Here are suggested questions to consider when setting up a church-sponsored scholarship program: 1. What qualifies a member to be eligible for this program? Full-time student Part-time student Other 2. What type of scholarship would you like to establish? A one-time award, or Renewable for years, and the student must re-apply each year, or Renewable for years 3. What would you like the amount of the award to be? Does this differ for Community College versus a four-year institution? Does this differ for a two-year degree versus a four-year degree? 4. How many awards would you like to make each year? 5. Must the college attended by the recipient be accredited? 6. What type of college may recipients attend? Any, including community, four-year or vocational Four-year only Graduate school Private In Greater Louisville Other 7. Does the student need to be a United States citizen? 8. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, must the student demonstrate financial need? 9. Are there other circumstances that should be considered when making the award? Yes Family situation Disabilities or illness 16

19 Other No 10. To whom should communication from any recipient be forwarded? Please include the address. SAMPLE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (Insert Church Logo) (Church Name) is pleased to offer an academic collegiate scholarship for (Church Name) church members. INFORMATION (Insert Eligibility Requirements here) Application Process 1. Completed application form 2. Describe an accomplishment you have been recognized for and its influence on you. 3. One letter of reference or recommendation 4. Letter of Acceptance at accredited four-year college or community college. Selection Process Recipients will be notified of the committee s decision by (Notification Date). Payment will be made to (fill in with appropriate reimbursement or deferment information) Purpose of Scholarship To Award up to: $ per year for accredited community college $ per year for accredited four year college Questions and Contact Information If you have questions or need further information, please contact (Contact Name) at 17

20 (Phone/ Address). Please complete this form. Information must be typed or printed directly on this form. Please put an asterisk by your preferred mailing address, if applicable. Name Full-time/Part-time (Please circle one) College Attending Accreditation Home Address Home telephone Major, if applicable Expected graduation date Volunteer Work/ Community Involvement Family Care Responsibilities Tell us why you should receive this scholarship? Church name and contact information 18

21 HOW TO...Help Members Complete a FAFSA Application and Access Funding What is FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a financial aid program run by the U.S. Department of Education. A completed FAFSA form will help determine your members eligibility for federal student aid from at least nine federal programs including Pell grants, and from hundreds of state-sponsored financial aid programs. A description of each of the federal programs may be found on the Federal Student Aid website: How does it work? Student aid is generally available in two forms grants that your members do not have to repay and loans that must be repaid. To be eligible for financial aid, your members must: Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen Have a valid Social Security number Have a high school diploma or GED or for adult students, pass an Ability-to-Benefit test Be registered with the U.S. Selective Service (for male students, age 18-25) Complete a FAFSA form promising to use any federal aid for education purposes Not owe refunds on any federal student grants Not be in default on any student loans Not have been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs while federal aid was being received What can you do? Encourage members to submit FASFA as a first step toward applying for financial assistance. Make FASFA information and Internet links available to members. Direct members to the FASFA Web site: or Download a PDF version of FAFSA for your members from the site which must be submitted by mail. Deadlines for applying may vary depending on the college or on state policy, but your members should file their application soon after January 1 of the year they plan to begin college. You will find deadlines at 19

22 HOW TO...Help Members Find and Apply for Scholarships How do I help church members find scholarships? There are several ways you assist a members in finding scholarships: You can refer a high school student directly to their guidance counselor at school. Most local organizations provide information to high school guidance offices on a regular basis. Assist members with contacting the financial aid office of the university or college where they plan to attend. Check with local organizations such as Rotary International, Elks Club and YMCA, which all award scholarships on a local level. Ask members to check with their employer. Some employer s offer scholarships directly to employees, their spouses, or children. Refer members to use online scholarship searches like fastweb.com and studentscholarshipsearch.com to find personalized scholarship opportunities. Refer members to the local library for the latest edition of The Scholarship Book. You can also ask a librarian for help. Ensure members complete the FAFSA. You can contact organizations such as The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) to come to your church to assist with completing the application. You can also refer members to local libraries for FAFSA workshops. Check your local newspapers for announcements of scholarships awarded to local students, and then contact these organizations about how to apply for the next round of scholarships. The newspaper announcements usually occur between March and June, when most scholarships are awarded. A listing of scholarship opportunities for non-traditional students can be found at the end of this section. 20

23 HOW TO...Set up a Mentor Program What is it? A mentorship is a relationship in which an experienced person in your church or community supports a member going or returning to college by sharing their wisdom and guidance. A mentor program can be very effective and contribute to the education goals of the church. How does it work? Mentors provide a support system and encouragement. It s important that the mentor create a social connection with the member. What can you do? Consider establishing a mentorship structure. Although the mentorship relationship may be informal, there should be goals to achieve within a reasonable timeline. Identify and recruit mentors based on specific criteria, such as a course of study, the school a member is attending, or a family situation. Make sure mentors understand the level of commitment and the importance of their role. Develop a system to match a mentor with a member. Consider providing meeting space such as a conference room. Develop metrics and track your mentoring program. For example, ask members to periodically provide feedback on their progress. Consider ways to recognize or celebrate the mentor s contribution 21

24 HOW TO...Create an Education Support Group What is it? An Education Support Group is a peer group support system for your members who are going or returning to college and for the families that support them. How does it work? An Education Support Group consists of students who are planning to go to college, attending college, or who are pursuing the same academic major. Those who participate in this form of peer support have a greater chance of completing their degree. What can you do? Decide if you would like to establish an Education Support Group in your church or encourage members to access other groups nearby. If you would like to create an Education Support Group within your church: Decide how it should operate. Should members meet face-to-face (and how often), communicate via intranet messaging, or participate in a social network site? Invite members to attend an informal information session. Publicize the session on your church website, in your church bulletin or using other internal information systems. Ask your church-based College Advocate to monitor and support the community. 22

25 15K Faith Action Team College-Going Toolkit Members Section The purpose of this section of the toolkit provides faith community members with information and resources to help them pursue their college dreams. Whether they are thinking about going to college, returning to college to complete a degree or increase your knowledge or skills, this section of the toolkit can serve as a guide. Think of this section as a manual or orientation. Again, the toolkit is intended to serve as a guide and cannot replace meeting with college representatives. New resources and information are frequently updated so we encourage you to contact local education institutions for additional support. The 15K Faith Action Team is an integral part of the 15K Degrees Initiative, a collective of organizations and individuals committed to mobilizing and engaging Louisville s African American community in support of 55,000 Degrees a targeted plan to raise education levels in our community by an additional 40,000 bachelor s degree holders and 15,000 associate s degree holders by the year To learn more visit Acknowledgements: Our sincere appreciation is extended to the following organizations for their assistance with the toolkit. 15K Faith Action Team Members Destiny Grant Canaan Community Development Corporation Louisville Urban League Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition Jenni Edwards, Louisville College Access Network Kevin Fields, Louisville Central Community Centers Council for Opportunity in Education 55,000 Degrees Printed April

26 Introduction You may think that going or returning to college is out of reach. It is either too expensive or takes too much time. It is true that college requires a commitment. However, today there are many options and opportunities for financial aid and support. We know that going or returning to college is a big commitment. So, why should you commit the time and resources to pursue a degree or higher degree in college? The following are some reasons to consider: The higher the education degree, the more money you can make: In 2009, the median weekly earnings of workers with Bachelor s Degrees were $1,137. This amount is 1.8 times the average amount earned by those with only a high school diploma, and 2.5 times the earnings of high school dropouts. Source: Start a family tradition: First Generation College graduates are special. They have to break a new pathway for the rest of the family and start a tradition. Your family will be proud and hopefully follow in your footsteps given the demonstration of your own accomplishment. Financial support: Anyone can afford college. This toolkit will provide you with many resources to help you afford and budget the cost of college including grants and scholarships. There are many ways you can pay for college. This toolkit will help you research the options that fit your needs. You can go to college anytime, anywhere: An option available today that was not available just a few years ago is online learning. Online classes are delivered directly to your computer and via many mobile devices. Complete academic degree programs and certifications are now available online. All post-secondary schools in Greater Louisville offer degrees or classes online. This toolkit will help you connect with programs and classes you can take from the privacy of your home or office. Better opportunities: Workers in a previous generation were often content to begin and end their careers in the same company often doing the same job. They could feel confident that as long as the economy was stable, they could rely on a steady income and a pension to keep them comfortable in retirement. Those days are behind us now. Workers today will likely change jobs multiple times during their careers requiring that they learn new skills throughout their lifetimes. The sooner you make the decision to go or return to college, the sooner you can begin to acquire skills that will open more doors in the job market and begin contributing or increase your contribution to your family and to your retirement. This toolkit will help you make decisions critical to getting you on the pathway to obtaining your degree. 24

27 HOW TO...Prepare for College What is college and career readiness? Now, more than ever, high school students are told they must be prepared for higher education or a skilled profession in the workplace. Despite these messages advocating the need to be college and career ready, many parents, students, and educators remain unclear on what college and career readiness actually means. A College Ready student is an academically prepared student, ready for postsecondary education or training without the need for remedial coursework. Whether you are pursuing a four-year degree or studying for a skilled trade license, being ready means having the reading, writing, mathematics, social, and cognitive skills to qualify for and succeed in the academic program of your choice. A Career Ready student possesses both the necessary knowledge and technical skills needed for employment in their desired career field. For example, a student who is ready to become a teacher not only possesses knowledge of education policy, but also possesses all required certifications required to become a teacher. Ultimately, college and career readiness demands students know more than just content, but demonstrate that they know how to learn and build upon that content to solve problems. They must develop versatile communication skills, work collaboratively and work competitively in a school or work environment. Ensuring that you possess both the academic and technical know-how necessary for a career beyond the classroom is a great step toward succeeding on whatever path you choose Source: HOW TO...Prepare for College If I am a high school student, how do I know if I'm academically prepared for college? Graduation Requirements: In order to graduate and receive a high school diploma from the Jefferson County Public Schools, a student must achieve each of the following: Completion of the Pre-College Curriculum (22 credits total) English (4 credits) Math (4 credits) Science (3 credits) Social Studies (3 credits) Health/P.E. (1 credit) Electives (7 credits) Completion of ACT exam 25

28 Score Apprentice or higher on the state Reading Assessment Score Apprentice or higher on the state Math Assessment Complete Individual Learning Plan each year in the state of Kentucky. Most colleges and universities require a pre-college curriculum, your high school transcript, and ACT/SAT scores for admissions. What is the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and why is it important? The ILP is an electronic tool students, parents, and school staff use to track and monitor progress. Beginning in 6 th grade, students are required to complete specific sections such as 1) advisement activities, 2) career exploration and assessments, 3) goals and plans, 4) activities, experiences, and awards, and 5) education plan. This tool is critical to being prepared for college and career. Does it matter where I go to high school? Jefferson County Public Schools recently reorganized the career theme magnets so that no matter where a student lives in the district, they have a chance to pursue the career theme they want. The county is divided into three sections and all five career themes are offered in each section. It is important to think about where to go to high school because you can gain experience in your field as a high school student. HOW TO...Prepare for College If I'm an adult returning to school, how do I know if I'm academically prepared for college? Improving your skills before returning to college Some students planning to go back to college may not be prepared for college level work. Admissions counselors at all institutions can help students determine how to prepare for success in college and can direct students to the appropriate classes. Placement Testing: Many institutions require placement testing. The test results will be used to place you in college courses appropriate for your skill level. Development Classes: Some institutions will offer and may require you to take noncredit developmental classes to be successful in credit-based college level courses. On-Campus Resources: Contact the admissions office to determine if there are additional resources on campus that can provide assistance. Adult Education Centers: Eligible Kentuckians can enroll in free courses online or in an adult education center to brush up on reading, math and other subjects to prepare for 26

29 college. Visit or call a local adult education center to discuss your options. For the closest center, visit: HOW TO...Prepare for College What is a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and how does it work? Prior Learning Assessment is the assessment and validation of work-based prior learning and competencies for the award of college credit. Prior Learning Assessment can help you determine if you are eligible to receive credit for work experience when returning to college, thus saving you money. Colleges may use a variety of ways to determine college credit: Student Portfolios: individualized student portfolios or interviews Employer training: employer training programs and/or professional development Challenge exams or customized exams offered by individual colleges/departments to verify learning achievement CLEP Exams (College Level Examination Program): tests college material and is offered by the College Board DSST Exams (formerly known as the Dantes program) tests knowledge of both lower-level and upper-level college material. ACE (American Council on Education) National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training: published credit recommendations for formal instructional programs offered by non-collegiate agencies ACE (American Council on Education) Military Guide: published credit recommendations for formal military training What can you do? If you have completed courses through your employer or from training providers, completed an apprenticeship program, earned a certification or license, or served in the military, then check with the college to learn more. HOW TO...Prepare for College How do I explore my college and career options? Career Cruising ILP Tool The Career Cruising ILP Tool is designed to help students bring together their academic 27

30 achievements, extracurricular experiences, and career and education exploration activities to create a concrete plan for success. In their Web-based ILP, students begin by taking an interest inventory called the Career Matchmaker, which links the student's interests to possible careers. Junior Achievement - Real Jobs, Real World Volunteers from area corporations serve as real-world career guides for high school students as they help connect students' classroom career exploration activities with jobs in the real world. Students learn specifically about the "Hot Hundred" Jobs that represent Kentucky s top workforce needs. Call KIDS or visit the JAKY website at Kentuckianaworks College Access Center (KCAC) KCAC is a resource for helping you plan and pay for college. KCAC is open to the community and services are free! College counselors offer one-on-one guidance to help make getting into college as simple as possible. They will help you research schools, fill out your financial aid forms, and discuss your career aspirations so you will be well on your way to reaching your goals. Call or visit CREW Career Center The CREW Career Center is a partnership among Metropolitan College, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Kentuckianaworks. Services are free and available to the general public. Our services assist clients with their career exploration, career planning, and career placement Signature Partnership Education Access (SPEAC) Center Kentucky s Council on Postsecondary Education partially funded the center. Its partners are Jefferson Community and Technical College, Simmons College, Spalding University and University of Louisville. The center will target underserved populations, primarily in West Louisville, by offering adult learners assistance with diagnostic testing and advising, choosing a college, applying for financial aid and preparing for college-level class work. Call or Jewish Family and Career Services JFCS is the longest standing independent career and college services provider in the region. Using both 1-1 and workshop driven approaches, their college and educational advisement services (generally mid teens to early adulthood) include helping students with: academic advising, ACT/SAT prep, career assessment, career exploration, education planning, individual counseling, financial management, job placement, preparation for placement exams JFCS works with the entire community and people from all different backgrounds, both college-bound and otherwise. In addition, various projects and initiatives have also dealt 28