The Illinois Student Assistance Corps An ISAC College Access Initiative

Goal: Increase the number of students from the lowest income quintiles completing high school, enrolling in college, and COMPLETING a postsecondary program A Ground & Marketing Campaign to increase student awareness about college planning and options after high school All Access Illinois

The Corps 39 Community College districts 59 “Near Peer” Mentors 1 or 2 in Each Community College District Class of 2009 Graduates From a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences The Corps

The Corps Funded by US Department of Education Challenge Grant 2 year program Corps is especially relevant today The Corps

37 Community College Districts 6 District Regions: -Inner Suburbs -Outer Suburbs -Western Illinois -Central Illinois -Eastern Illinois -Southern Illinois

The Job Promote College Planning & Preparation Focus on the lowest income and first generation families Focus on 9th – 12th Grade Students Work with students, teachers, counselors, CBOs Organize outreach events Offer career exploration, test prep, application assistance, FAFSA workshops, college-matching guidance The Job

The Training June – August 2009 Full-Time Residential Training Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights Extensive Guest Faculty University of California, Berkeley Women Employed Oakton Community College University of Illinois, Chicago IACAC The Training

The Training Topics Include: College Access Marketing; Career Counseling; FAFSA Line-by-Line Completion; Financial Aid 101; Community Organizing; Project Management; Event Planning; College Access Barriers The Training

Services Offered Financial Aid process presentations FAFSA line-by-line completion workshops One-on-one student counseling Career exploration counseling Finding the right fit for college Whatsnextillinois.org system exploration Anything else that is needed! Services Offered

The Corps So Far Fieldwork since August 2009 Reaching our target audience College Goal Sunday College fairs One-on-one counseling with students Whatsnextillinois.org Community organizations, schools, The Corps So Far

Case Study: Waubonsee CC District Priority high school: East Aurora High Breakdown: 2,717 students; 998 freshman, 431 seniors 82% FARM eligible Efforts at East Working with students one on one Early awareness Case Study: Waubonsee CC District

Case Study: Waubonsee CC District Over 15 FAFSA completion events at virtually every high school in district Assisted over 300 families in the Aurora area complete the FAFSA who may not have otherwise Early awareness campaigns with high schools, community organizations Priority on one on one relationship building with target students Relationship building with teachers, counselors, community activists Case Study: Waubonsee CC District

About Us We are here to help students How can we target first generation and low-income students? Think: if the sky was the limit, what other programs would be offered? We can help! About Us

ISACorps- Waubonsee Community College Laura Armgardt Larmgardt@isac.org (630) 746-7530 ISACorps- Waubonsee Community College