1. Accessing Ability to Benefit
Hello – I am Carla Gelwicks from Whatcom Community College
How many of you are using ATB as part of a tuition funding strategy to accelerate BEdA students career and educational pathways?
There have been quite a few changes since ATB was reinstated to allow access to federal financial aid resources in 2015.
I have been asked to share our strategies at WCC for accessing financial aid resources using ATB.
Whatcom Community College

2. A little WCC background
WCC doesn’t offer approved ATB tests
WCC launched HS21+ in Fall 2015
WCC requires HS21+ students to complete at least one college level course as part of the HS21+ diploma
We wanted to support students in earning dual credit
WCC had struggled with low IBEST enrollments – partly due to lack of access to financial aid for students without a high school credential
There were unused seats each quarter in many college level courses
When ATB was reinstated – WCC didn’t offer any of the approved tests.
We were also planning on launching HS21+ at our campus during the next fall quarter.
WCC requires HS21+ students to complete at least one college level course as part of their high school diploma. We knew that many of our HS21+ students would need financial assistance for college level tuition.
We also want to support students who were academically ready to earn “dual” credit towards high school and their college/career certificate or degree.
WCC has also struggled with low IBEST enrollments. In part due to lack of access to financial aid for IBEST interested students due to the lack of a high school credential.
Finally, we were aware that there were unused seats in many course sections each quarter. – These seats went empty while there were students in Basic Skills that were academically able but not financially able.
Student Opportunity
Increase FTE
Accelerate Pathways = +
Timely Student Navigation
Capable Students
Creative Funding for 6-10 credits +

3. Award local funds* for up to 10 Credits
Student now has access to all FA resources. Monitor for HS completion and exit from Basic Skills.
Level Completion!
Student completes at least 6 college level credits- Gains access to FA!
Award local funds* for up to 10 Credits
Local funds (3.5% $), BFET funds including 50% reimbursement $ for non-BFET eligible students, tuition waivers, and private scholarships
So we knew this was our goal. Help students to find funding for the first 6-10 college level credits.
This flow chart demonstrates Whatcom’s plan.
Document the student is taking classes toward an eligible Pathway
This is step is critical – more on this in a minute
Student submits FAFSA Application
The student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must be within PELL eligibility guidelines

4. Documenting and eligible pathway ATB Eligible Pathway
Ability to benefit is a provides a doorway for many students to access funding for college sooner than later. However, documenting that students are pursuing an eligible pathway is key.

5. Documenting and eligible pathway
Available guidance
US Department of Education/Federal Student Aid: Dear Colleague Letters
GEN May 22, 2015
GEN update - October 22, 2015
GEN May 9, 2016
Hyperlinks to these guidance documents are available on the CBS CANVAS pages under Innovations Committee
SBCTC Guidance
Letter - December 7, 2015
Letter on Academic IBEST - July 19, 2016
There are several guidance documents available at both the state and federal level. You can access this slide with links to these resources on the CBS CANVAS page, Innovations Committee section.
These will be useful tools when you talk to your Financial Aid Director.
This last resource – slides from the US Dept of Education October Webinar on ATB guidance for Financial Aid Directors.
US Department of Education
Slides from ATB Webinar, October 27, 2016

6. My Disclaimer Documenting and eligible pathway
The next few slides will illustrate how we document ATB eligibility at WCC. This is our interpretation. There are other ways to complete this task. The important thing is that you document that each student receiving ATB is in an approved pathway.

7. Documenting and eligible pathway
A. Title IV eligibility
B. Eligible Career Pathway
C. Student is academically ready
Student’s record must indicate appropriate intent code for a program that meets all of the Title IV eligibility guidelines.
(examples: Associate in Science for Computer Information Systems or Certificate in Criminal Justice)
Student completes FAFSA application, and meets all college deadlines, and demonstrates financial need
An individualized educational plan for each student that shows a direct correlation between the students college program and a specific career ladder or job
Meet the Definition of an Eligible Career Pathway. Documentation can happen at the college level, program level, or student level.
Proof of appropriate score on an ATB approved test Or
Successful completion of 6 or more college level credits (not developmental education credits)

8. If the program isn’t financial aid eligible – ATB is not an option.
Documenting and eligible pathway
Tip!
If the program isn’t financial aid eligible – ATB is not an option.
A. Title IV eligibility
Student’s record must indicate appropriate intent code for a program that meets all of the Title IV eligibility guidelines.
(examples: Associate in Science for Computer Information Systems or Certificate in Criminal Justice)
Student completes FAFSA application, and meets all college deadlines, and demonstrates financial need

9. B. Eligible Career Pathway
Documenting and eligible pathway
B. Eligible Career Pathway
An individualized educational plan for each student that shows a direct correlation between the students college program and a specific career ladder or job
Meet the Definition of an Eligible Career Pathway. Documentation can happen at the college level, program level, or student level.

10. Documenting and eligible pathway
Definition of an Eligible Career Pathway Program
Public Law amended the definition of an eligible career pathway program for purposes of Title IV aid eligibility under section 484(d)(2) of the HEA to align with the definition of career pathway in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)). Under section 484(d)(2) of the HEA, an eligible career pathway program means a program that combines rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that—

11. Documenting and eligible pathway
Tip!
You must be able to document all seven of these eligibility criteria.
Documentation can be at the
College level or
Program level or
Student level
Documenting and eligible pathway
Aligns with the skills needs of industries…
Prepares an individual to be successful in a range of post-secondary options…
Includes counseling to support the individuals goals…
Includes, as appropriate, concurrent and contextual basic skills education…
Organizes education and other services to accelerate education and advancement…
Enables an individual to attain a high school level credential and at least one post-secondary credential…
Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster…
Summarized from Department of Ed Letter: GEN-16-09

12. Documenting and eligible pathway
Eligible Pathway Criteria
College, program, or individual level documentation
Possible Documentation Suggestions
1.Aligns with skill needs of industries…
College level
Professional Technical Program advisory board or
College Career Pathways or
Gainful employment or Career Outlook and Advancement publications
3.Includes counseling to support an individual …
Program level
Transitional Learning Navigator, IBEST Advisor, or Community Partner
5.Organizes education, training, and other services to….accelerate
College level 
Individual level
IBEST approved program 
HS 21+ customized student education plan for dual credit

13. Example HS21+ Crosswalk Plans: Certificate- Early Childhood Ed
Documenting and eligible pathway
Example HS21+ Crosswalk Plans:
Certificate- Early Childhood Ed
Certificate- Criminal Justice
Certificate- Massage Practitioner
AAS- Business- Non Transfer
There are copies of these plans on your tables.

14. C. Student is academically ready
Documenting and eligible pathway
C. Student is academically ready
Proof of appropriate score on an ATB approved test Or
Successful completion of 6 or more college level credits in their program of study (not developmental education credits)

15. + + = The results….. WCC doesn’t offer approved ATB tests
WCC requires HS21+ students to complete at least one college level course as part of the HS21+ diploma
We wanted to support students in earning dual credit
WCC had struggled with low IBEST enrollments – partly due to lack of access to financial aid for students without a high school credential
There were unused seats each quarter in many college level courses
No test needed
Barrier removed
several options
Increased IBEST enrollments
Shout out to Skagit Valley College for this idea!
Student Opportunity
Increased FTE
Accelerated Pathways +
Capable Students
Timely Student Navigation + =
Creative Funding for 6-10 credits

16. Questions?
Carla Gelwicks