September 17, 2015 KY College Application Month Site Coordinator Training Webinar
What is the American College Application Campaign? National effort to increase the number of firstgeneration and low-income students pursuing a college degree or credential Primary purpose is to help high school seniors navigate the college admission process Events occur during the school day and complement existing college access efforts Designed to be a low cost/no cost event that can be easily implemented anywhere in the country All 50 states and the District of Columbia participate in the American College Application Campaign
Kentucky College Application Month Fifth year for the program in Kentucky Program to help high school seniors navigate the college admission process Schools are asked to register online at kycollegeappmonth.com if they plan on participating Online Toolkit created to help any school implement its own program November 2015 proclaimed College Application Month in Kentucky.
Partners/Advisory Committee 55,000 Degrees American College Application Campaign (national initiative) Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) GEAR UP Alliance Jefferson County Public Schools Kentucky Association for College Admission Counseling (KYACAC) Kentucky Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) KY Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (KAEOPP) KY Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA) Kentucky Campus Compact Kentucky College Coaches Program Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA) Kentucky School Counselor Association (KSCA)
Open to All Kentucky Schools Registration opened on the website in spring and was advertised at spring conferences, via email and through KHEAA outreach staff. The June 30 th deadline was for schools wishing to receive the free promotional materials. Schools can continue to register online and will still have access to the online resources and will also be added to the College Application Month listserv. A student fills out paperwork during College Application Week
Resources Resources are made available to help site coordinators plan and implement College Application Month activities: Implementation Guide Sample schedules, media talking points, volunteer tips, thank-you letters, and morning announcements KHEAA Regional and Mobile Outreach Staff Hands-on assistance with preparation, weekly activities and materials Online Toolkit Materials and templates for any school or organization interested in implementing a program. Student activities Student and site coordinator surveys
Promotional Items These promotional items will be provided to all schools that registered online by June 30 th Posters Customizable for school-specific events and announcements Folders A place for students to organize their admission documents Stickers Allow students to tout their top choices
Continue review of training materials Direct any questions to Kim Dolan Preparation for independent schedule/ contacts in South Central KY area (to begin September 3 rd )
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Grand Total Summary 8,940 high school students from 112 schools participated CAM 2014. What about college applications? 2,196 (25.8%) completed 4,249 apps before CAM. 6,963 (82.0%) completed 11,646 apps during CAM.
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation The but really Summary 7,591 high school seniors from 70 schools submitted data for CAM2014. What about college applications? 2,018 (26.6%) completed 3,921 apps before CAM. 6,174 (81.3%) completed 10,478 apps during CAM. What s the difference? Seniors only this time; and, 41 high schools with fewer than 5 participants were actually students from other schools attending & participating in CAM activities. In one case, it was reported that the school s maintenance engineer s spouse completed a college application during CAM and was recorded as a participant.
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Demographics CAM Students n = 7,584 (59%) Non-CAM Students n = 5,324 (41%) 85% 9% 2% 4% Black Hisp Other White 88% 8% 3% 1% Caucasian students constitute the largest proportion of both groups yet CAM participation ratio is only 1.4:1 Other minority students are 6 times more likely to participate in CAM Black students are 1.6 times more likely to participate in CAM Hispanic student CAM participation ratio is only 1.2:1
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Demographics CAM Students n = 7,588 (58%) Non-CAM Students n = 5,427 (42%) Male 55% 45% Female 44% 56% The male to female ratio of high school seniors is 49.7% 50.3% Males are very slightly more likely to be CAM participants at 1.1:1 Females are very much more likely to participate at 1.7:1
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Demographics CAM Students n = 7,588 (58%) Non-CAM Students n = 5,427 (42%) 44% 56% FRPL: Yes FRPL: No 40% 60% Free or Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) status constitutes a larger proportion of Non-CAM high school seniors than CAM participants. Nonetheless, 1.3 FRPL-eligible seniors participated in CAM for each non-cam FRPL-eligible student. The CAM participation ratio for non-frpl-eligible students was 1.5:1
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Demographics CAM Students n = 7,588 (58%) Non-CAM Students n = 5,427 (42%) 23% FAFSA: Yes 77% FAFSA: No 44% 56% The FAFSA completion rate is another of the most successful CAM accomplishments. 77% of CAM participants, and even 56% of non- CAM students complete the FAFSA. Students participating in CAM are almost twice a likely to complete the FAFSA.
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation Demographics CAM Students n = 5,831 (66%) Non-CAM Students n = 3,029 (34%) 61% 39% Pell: Yes Pell: No 38% 62% Determination of Pell-eligibility requires FAFSA completion. CAM participants are twice as likely to complete the FAFSA but only half as likely to be Pell-eligible.
2014 Stats and Program Evaluation CAM vs. Non-CAM FAFSA Completion Rate 90% 80% 81% 76% 74% CAM Non-CAM 70% 60% 56% 63% 63% 58% 50% 40% 41% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2011 2012 2013 2014 Declining trend mirrors statewide experience.
Student Survey
Student Survey
Student Survey Q9. Given where you are right now, today, what do you expect to be the biggest challenges, or maybe even obstacles you have to face in order to go to college? Money Financial Aid ACT Score Finding the Right College Getting Accepted
Student Survey Q10. Please share the top 3 things you liked best about College Application Month. Select all that apply. Help with applications Time to fill out applications Learning about college Scholarship and financial aid information Getting to talk with college reps
Student Survey Q11. Please share the top 3 things you would improve about College Application Month. More scholarship information Nothing, liked as is Need more time to fill out applications More time with college reps Need additional notice
Recommendations for Future Data Collection Minimum request for all schools: # of students participating # of apps completed For more in-depth analysis, student-level data can be sent Must be sent in Excel format Identify which students participated in CAM First and last name, DOB and number of applications completed Check the online toolkit for more details on data collection Reminders will be sent via email throughout the fall
Online Toolkit Overview http://kycollegeappmonth.com/
Tips for Implementation Student Preparation Use folders to help students gather info in advance Set up Parchment accounts in advance http://exchange.parchment.com/toolkit Meet with seniors to discuss college research, match vs. fit, essays and recommendation letters Help students become familiar with the various fee payment options prior to your event Cost of application fees Fee waivers Paying at time of submission vs. after submission
Tips for Implementation Volunteer Coordination The more the merrier! Enlist teachers and other school personnel as much as possible most find this event very fun and rewarding! Take advantage of student leaders and early birds Reach out to the community College admission personnel are great but ask early! See the online toolkit for additional tips on volunteer coordination
Best Practices Paris High School College representatives, business, military visit to help students complete applications Door decorating competition (principal included) and pizza party for the winner Last day: college shirt day, tailgating, food, games, and prizes Advertising: website, local newspaper Utilized KHEAA s College Info Road Show, KEES ILP completion
Best Practices Henry County HS Held at the end of October: College and Career Application Week; school-wide focus Got teachers involved; guided activities in classrooms (made copies for teachers) Mid-week: Admission & scholarship application assistance in the library Friday: Job application assistance & Spirit day Daily drawings of college-themed trinkets
Best Practices McLean County HS Monday & Tuesday: All English classes in computer lab: ILP completion, kheaa.com, Getting the Facts, Parchment Thursday: College Application day Friday: Celebration Day! Ice cream, movie & popcorn KHEAA Outreach Counselor assistance
Best Practices Southern High School Social Media: #WhyIChose Daily College Highlights on Announcements College Bingo with Prizes: Find the Faculty Daily Dose of College: name the mascot, fun facts about college and other games during lunches, prizes Computer lab to complete applications; volunteers Senior assembly: Paying for College 101 presentation
Final Thoughts Do what works best for your school and students Take pictures and post to social media! Encourage your students to do the same. #iappliedky Make it fun and special! Involve the whole school Use the online toolkit (kycollegeappmonth.com) Use this as a time to start promoting FASFA completion Contact your KHEAA Outreach Counselor or check kasfaa.com/collegegoalky Don t forget data and surveys!
We re Here to Help! Locate additional outreach information through the Counselors section at kheaa.com. Kim Dolan, Assistant Director of Outreach Services kdolan@kheaa.com Susan Hopkins, Director of Outreach Services shopkins@kheaa.com Susan Bradley, Outreach Assistant sbradley@kheaa.com