1. What it is and how to avoid it.
Summer Melt
What it is and how to avoid it.

2. Summer Melt
Summer Melt is the phenomenon when seemingly college-intending students fail to enroll in college the fall after high school graduation.
“College-intending” students are those who have completed key college going steps, such as applying and being accepted to college and applying for financial aid.
A student is considered to have “melted” if despite being college-intending, he or she fails to attend college in the fall.
Strategic Data Project Summer Melt Handbook: A Guide to Investigating the Responding to Summer Melt.

3. How to Prevent Summer Melt
Identify your next steps, and any barriers you may have, to complete everything you need to do to start school in the fall.
The following slides will take you through eight “Next Steps” questions to help see if you are on track to go.

4. Next Steps: Questions for You
Have you filed your FAFSA?
Completing the FAFSA is the first step to get financial aid. If you haven’t done it, you can still file! (
Go to the Career Center if you want help to get it done.
Have you completed any additional financial aid forms required?
SCC and SFCC require you to submit the FAFSA and a Financial Aid Terms and Conditions form, or you will not be awarded financial aid for the Fall Term. (The next slide shows an example of this form.)
Your college may ask you for income verification; promptly provide the information or you may be denied financial aid. (Check your or Student Portal and respond quickly)

5. Community Colleges of Spokane 2017-18 Financial Aid Terms & Conditions Form
PICK UP A COPY FROM THE CAREER CENTER
THIS NEEDS TO BE TURNED IN NOW!!!
YOUR FINANCIAL AID WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT IT
Mrs. Farnsworth will
your completed form to SCC or SFCC

6. Next Steps: Questions for You
Have you received your financial aid award letter?
Check to see what your “bottom line” number is to know your net cost for college. How are you planning to make up the difference?
Accept or Deny items awarded (Grants, Loans, Work Study, etc) Some schools will require you to accept/deny within 2 weeks of giving notice, or your awards will be cancelled.
See Mrs. Farnsworth in the Career Center if you are not sure what your award letter means.
Have you logged on to your college’s student portal?
Every school has a student portal where you will log into your student account. Check it often as most schools send information with deadlines to you through this system. This is usually where you will see your financial aid package. (The next slides have examples of how to access this portal.)

7. Community Colleges of Spokane (SFCC/SCC)
1. Log on to
2. Click on the CTC Link.

8. Accessing The Community Colleges of Spokane (SFCC/SCC) Student Portal
You will see this screen. If this is the first time, click on first time user
You receive your CTCLink ID in an after you have applied to SFCC/SCC

9. Eastern Washington University
Log on to
Click on the myEWU Portal link to access your student account login.

10. Washington State University
Log on to
Watch the video to learn how to access the student portal

11. University of Washington
Log on to
Under Quick Links choose myUW to get to the student log in page.

12. Next Steps: Questions for You
Have you completed your required placement tests?
If you will be attending a community college, you must schedule and take a placement test. You can either call the testing center or schedule your appointment online. The test costs $30, unless you qualify to have the test waived.
SFCC Testing Center number is
SCC Testing Center number is
Have you confirmed your enrollment?
For 4 year colleges, you must confirm that you will attend the school and pay a deposit by May 1st. Depending on your school, it can cost anywhere between $0-$1000! Check with your institution to determine the confirmation cost.

13. Next Steps: Questions for You
Have you submitted all housing forms and deposits (if you are going to live on campus)?
Housing fills up fast, so you don’t want to delay.
Usually you are required to pay the confirmation deposit before you are allowed to submit your housing application.
Housing deposits are required to secure your spot. If you are renting, be prepared to pay the cost of first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit—this adds up fast!
Have you registered for a new student orientation?
All schools have a required Freshman Orientation that you must attend before you will be allowed to register for classes.
The Spokane Public Schools specific Orientation at SFCC is May 23rd – You can sign up for Orientations in the summer if you didn’t get signed up for this one on time by calling the testing Center.
Orientation can be another cost; WSU’s mandatory orientation costs $230!