1. TASFAA 2018 Honoring the Past & Building the Future
TN Reconnect Panel
James Snider, TSAC
Dick Smelser, Pellissippi State
Robin Townson, Roane State

2. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
TN Reconnect Update
Independent student, as determined by FAFSA
Not have previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree
TN resident, at least 1 year prior to application deadlines, same as TELS
Not be ineligible under §
File the FAFSA, following TELS deadlines
Enroll and attend at least part-time in an eligible program of study
Participate in a college success program
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

3. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
TN Reconnect Update
What is §
Must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
Must comply with U.S. selective service requirement, if applicable
Not be in default or owe a refund on Title IV or state financial aid program
Must be in compliance with federal drug-free laws
May not be incarcerated
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

4. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
TN Reconnect Update
Continuing eligibility
File Renewal FAFSA, following TELS deadlines
Maintain continuous enrollment and attendance, at least part time in an eligible program of study
Maintain a minimum, cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, as determined by the institution
Participate in the college success program
Terminating Events
Completion of an associate degree or certificate
5 years have passed since initial enrollment as TNR student
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

5. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
TN Reconnect Update
Current TN Reconnect Applicant Count – 11,000 (as of April 13)
Applicant Profile
43% are making $25,000 or less (77% are making less than $50K)
Average age is 34.3
31% of the applicants have no college experience
86% plan to work while they are enrolled
Of those applicants that previously attended, about 52% last attended less than 5 years ago
Most significant challenges are finances (61%) work demands (27%) and family responsibilities (30%)
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

6. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Pellissippi State
Reconnect NOW
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

7. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
PSCC Reconnect NOW Eligibility Criteria
Complete FAFSA by August 1
Be independent on the FAFSA.
Do not have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Be a TN resident for at least one year by August 1.
Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours towards an associate’s degree.
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

8. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Reconnect NOW Maintenance Criteria
Maintain a term 2.0 GPA
Maintain continuous enrollment for fall and spring semesters
Attend and complete at least as a part-time students (6 credit hours)
Other notes:
Last dollar scholarship after all federal and state aid
Pays mandatory tuition/fees only
Currently enrolled students are eligible
Scholarship will begin Fall 2017 and will cover through summer 2018
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

9. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Reconnect NOW Challenges
Daily ARGOS report to discover registered eligible students
Uploaded data to ROAUSDF for awarding eligible students
Manual adjustments to awards for on-line classes that Reconnect NOW did not cover
Manual adjustments when students dropped or added classes
Manual adjustments for students who completed verification and now have full Pell
Banner will not adjust to zero $$
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

10. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Reconnect NOW Data
Fall Eligible Students – 2,708 (Start of classes)
Fall Eligible Students that received funds – 938 (35%)
Fall Awarded Dollars – $1,323,160 (average award $1,410)
Spring Eligible Students – 2,309
Spring Eligible students that received fund – 920 (40%)
Spring Awarded Dollars - $1,269,600 (average $1,380)
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

11. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Reconnect NOW Summary
About 1/3 of the Fall eligible students did not maintain eligibility after Fall semester due to low GPA, Stop attending, Withdrawal or not registering for Spring.
Low technical capabilities were evident and affected many students in the classroom
A number of these students took online classes because they thought they would be easier
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

12. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Roane State
Reconnect Best Practices
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

13. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Reconnect Ready Events
Designed to provide one-on-one assistance for completing Reconnect application, FAFSA and RSCC Admissions application.
Advertised in print and radio ads, website and social media
11 scheduled events
Joint effort including staff from Recruiting, Financial Aid, Academic Departments, Success Coaches, Off-campus staff
Provided informational tables and refreshments
Completed surveys entered students for a book scholarship
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

14. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Textbook Scholarship
RSCC Foundation Office provided 2 textbook scholarships:
$1000/year ($500/semester) for a full-time Reconnect student
$500/year ($250/semester) for a part-time Reconnect student
Students completing a survey at a Reconnect Ready event is entered into a drawing for the scholarships
Drawing will be held after last event and will be on Facebook Live
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

15. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Facebook Live events
1st event highlighted Success Coaches at RSCC and common questions regarding Tennessee Reconnect
2nd and following events will highlight particular academic areas
Foundation Scholarship drawing
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

16. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Targeted Outreach
Prospective students identified from the Tennessee Reconnect Potential Eligible list (extracted from eGrands) and interest form submitted on the RSCC website.
File from eGrands is imported into Banner.
3 Argos reports created: current students, students assigned to a Success Coach and those who have not applied to RSCC.
Point of contact identified for each group and daily s are sent to these. Contact efforts are documented in Banner and included in daily s.
Tennessee Reconnect Toolkit prepared and ied to ALL RSCC staff and so that any employee can share the basic information regarding Tennessee Reconnect.
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

17. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Best Practices?
Additional Efforts, Successes, Barriers?
Questions & Discussion?
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future

18. Honoring the Past and Building the Future
Thank you!
James Snider, TSAC
Dick Smelser, Pellissippi State
Robin Townson, Roane State
TASFAA 2018
Honoring the Past and Building the Future