1. Helping First-Generation Students Overcome Academic, Financial and Social Barriers MIDWest Spring Conference 2012 Aileen Aragones, Staci Hamilton and Kelly Schaer

2. Introduction to College Possible A student from an upper-income family is ten times more likely to earn a college degree than a low-income student (Postsecondary Education Opportunity, www.postsecondary.org) College Possible is a national nonprofit organization that makes college admission and success possible for low-income high school students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support Founded in 2000; College Possible Milwaukee founded in 2008 Currently serve more than 350 high school students and more than 1,000 college students in Milwaukee

3. Session Goals Discuss the academic, financial and social challenges that first-generation students face in high school and college Learn tips for helping college students and future college students overcome these challenges

4. Overview: Tinto’s adaptation of Van Gennep’s model seeks to explain the interactions among different individuals within the academic and social systems of the institutions and communities which compromise them and can lead those individuals to withdraw from those institutions prior to degree completion. Core Concepts: Pre-Entry Attributes Goals and Commitments Institutional Experiences Integration Revisiting Goals and Commitments Outcome Tinto’s Theory of Student Departure (1993)

5. Academic Barriers—High School Understanding need for rigorous coursework Time management Study skills

6. More rigorous coursework Communication and information Summer enrichment programs High School

7. Academic Barriers—College Knowing how to access resources Learning how to be proactive Understanding academic consequences

8. Advisors, professors and student affairs can build relationships with students Clarify academic expectations Accessing resources—built into required classwork Accessibility of advising College

9. Social Barriers—High School Influence/Importance of family and home responsibilities What does it mean to be a college student?

10. Solutions to Social Barriers High School Relationship with parents/guardians – providing workshops, newsletters or other communication Campus visits

11. Social Barriers—College Transitions: housing, responsibility, cultural differences Balancing school, work, and family obligations Connectedness on campus Difference in environment between high school and college

12. Solutions to Social Barriers College Making it easy for students to get involved Finding advocates on campus Understanding cultural differences

13. Economic Barriers—High School Fear of cost Knowledge of financial aid Applications

14. Solutions to Economic Barriers High School Applying for scholarships early FAFSA workshops Senior seminar

15. Economic Barriers—College Securing financial aid to continue in college Working to pay for college

16. Solutions to Economic Barriers College Continue learning beyond orientation Accessibility of admissions offices and financial aid offices

17. Tips for Helping High School Students Incorporate rigorous classes into curriculum Be proactive! Apply early Bridging communication gap with parents/guardians Host workshops: study skills, time management, financial aid

18. Tips for Helping College Students Explaining financial aid, account balance, and award letters Freshmen orientation: finding resources; student experiences Be accessible! Take cultural differences and home responsibilities into account TRIO programs

19. Questions? Add photos

20. Contact Us Aileen Aragones, High School Program Coordinator AAragones@CollegePossible.org Staci Hamilton, College Program Coordinator SHamilton@CollegePossible.org Kelly Schaer, Program Manager KSchaer@CollegePossible.org AAragones@CollegePossible.org SHamilton@CollegePossible.org KSchaer@CollegePossible.org