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

ACAC Campaign Mission The American College Application Campaign® (ACAC), an effort of the American Council on Education (ACE), is a national initiative designed to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students who pursue a postsecondary education. The purpose is to assist high school seniors as they navigate the college admissions process and ensure each participating student submits at least one admissions application.

ACAC Campaign History The first College Application Day took place in one GEAR UP high school in North Carolina in 2005.

2013 ACAC Program Results 39 states and the District of Columbia implemented programs 2,513 high schools 153,114 students participated 219,855 college applications were submitted

ACAC 2014 – Participating States

Louisiana Program History Piloted program in 25 Louisiana GEAR UP and Lafayette Partnership GEAR UP high schools in 2013 1,049 students completed at least one application for college admissions

Program Goals To ensure every graduating senior, at high schools participating in the program, complete at least one college application. To promote a college-going culture in schools

Program Goals To encourage best match and fit for each individual student based on a 5 point match

Program Goals LOSFA defines college as any education after high school; therefore students can apply to any one of the following program types during LCAM 2014: Certificate Program Diploma Program Community College 4-year public or private Institution Any educational training that will lead to employment after program completion

Target Schools High schools participating in the Louisiana GEAR UP Program High schools participating in the Lafayette GEAR UP Partnership Program High schools with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch Special focus will be placed on: students who would be first in their family to attend college low-income students students who may not have otherwise considered applying.

Target Schools Although special preference will be given to the schools who meet the criteria listed in the previous slide; ALL Louisiana High Schools can participate in LCAM 2014.

LOSFA Resources STUDENT HIGH SCHOOL Assistance with application completion Assistance with registering for a FAFSA PIN HIGH SCHOOL LCAM branded promotional material Publicity and promotion of LCAM campaigns Trailblazer (TB) student members who will advocate for and assist with LCAM activities (high schools who have TB members on campus) Site Coordinator manual that includes step-by-step planning timelines for implementing LCAM On-the-ground assistance from agencies and organizations who have partnered with LOSFA for LCAM Individual school application completion and FAFSA PIN creation results

LOSFA Resources LOSFA will administer a survey to students, site-coordinators and volunteers at the conclusion of LCAM 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of the program A final report outlining the results of LCAM 2014 will be crafted and made available to all key stakeholders

LACM Partnerships The following partners will provide support, guidance and resource materials to all participating high schools leading up to LCAM 2014. Planning, scheduling, and implementation of all LCAM initiatives are the responsibility of the host school. Council of Student Body Presidents (COSBP) Louisiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (LACRAO) Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Schools Louisiana Board of Regents (LBOR) Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Louisiana Education Loan Authority (LELA) Statewide and Partnership GEAR UP TRIO/Education Talent Search Programs in Louisiana University of Louisiana System

How can my school participate? Complete Registration Form Return to Kristen O’Neil at kristen.oneil@la.gov

State Coordinator Contact Information Kristen O’Neil Public Information and Communications Supervisor Louisiana Office Of Student Financial Assistance Kristen.oneil@la.gov