 To and former foster, homeless, and independent youth as they strive to attain higher education while them to sustain and succeed in becoming productive members of society.

 Former VP of Student Affairs and the Director of the University College Advising Center wanted to form an outreach program for these populations  Began as an effort to pull together the resources already at the university and package them in a way that better serves the needs of this population.

 Youth aging out of foster care  Former foster youth  Homeless and at-risk of homelessness youth  Independent status youth *Note: Most are identified through our community partnerships and FAFSA reports.

 Lack of familial support or adequate mentor  Need for Financial Aid  Need for year-round housing  Counseling support  Employment concerns  Need for individual attention  Need for healthcare

 Office of Admissions  Housing and Residential Life  Financial Aid  Academic Advising  Student Support Services …joined forces to help ease the transition.

 The first place to start the quest for higher education is the Admissions Office. ◦ Students self-identify or are referred by academic advisors to Next Step liaisions. ◦ Process of Financial Aid and Housing begins here. ◦ Campus tours can also be arranged.

 Available to enrolled students continuously throughout the year, including semester breaks and holiday periods  Payment plans/waivers  Priority placement

 Grants, loans, scholarships, pay for housing? Work study program

 Encompasses many different tasks ◦ Course selection ◦ Troubleshooting ◦ Mentor assignments ◦ Career counseling ◦ Overall open-door policy

 Participants qualify for application into this grant-funded program  Services offered include: ◦ Free tutoring ◦ Cultural events ◦ Computer lab access ◦ Free workshops/seminars ◦ Food pantry ◦ Counseling services ◦ Scholarship/Grant Assistance

 TN Department of Children’s Services  Youth Villages  R-Connection  CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) … Just to name a few.

 Mentors are current students from similar backgrounds  Many made the transition on their own before the program began  Students seem to identify and relate more to our mentors

 Little to no operating budget ◦ A program within an advising center ◦ Rely on donations from other campus offices  Low student involvement ◦ Resistance to a “program”  Low retention rates among new students ◦ Consistent with research

Kim Snell ATLAS Liaison Rutherford County Schools Becca Seul, MS, CFLE Middle Tennessee State University Next Step Program coordinator