Missouri College Access Challenge Grant

College Access and Student Success Impacts

November 11, 2013

Today’s Program

• Background and Impact of the College Access Challenge Grant (CACG)

• Hear from sub-grantees– Drury Scholars Program– St. Louis Internship

What is the College Access Challenge Grant?

• Federal grant established in 2007• Missouri first received the grant in 2008• Used to assist first generation and low-income

students in gaining access to and succeeding in postsecondary education

• In Missouri, the CACG is used to provide:– Financial literacy outreach– Competitive sub-grant

Missouri CACG State Objectives• Provide effective information to students and families on

postsecondary education benefits, opportunities, planning and career preparation.

• Provide actionable information on financing options, including activities that promote financial literacy, debt avoidance and management among students and families.

• Conduct outreach activities for students who may be at risk of not enrolling in or completing college.

• Assist prospective and continuing students in the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Tracking student FAFSA completion.

CACG Impact in 2012-2013• 65, 865 students participated in CACG sub-grant

activities or services • 14, 247 were high school seniors• 6,270 high school seniors completed the FAFSA• With support from the CACG over 116,000 pieces

of printed materials were distributed

Since 2008 over 212,000 students in Missouri have participated or received services thanks to outreach provided by sub-grantees

Cycle 5 CACG Grantee Map

Maintenance of Effort Requirement• States must provide financial support for higher education

at least at a level equal to the average amount provided over the five preceding State Fiscal Years for:(A) public institutions of higher education, excluding capital expenses and research and development costs, and (B) financial aid for students attending private institutions of higher education.

• Missouri applied for a waiver of the MOE requirements but that request was denied by DE.

DRURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Francine PrattDrury Scholars Coordinator

WHY Drury Scholars?• Springfield History• The Gathering• African American Achievement Gap

What is Measured?• No. of students who take the ACT Exam• ACT College Readiness Benchmark Scores• Drop Out Rate• Graduation Rate

STUDENTS• Middle School• High School

What is the Drury Scholars Program?

• College Bound Students• Summer Program• Year Round Program

How the Program Works:• Weekly Mentoring and

Tutoring Sessions• Regular Outings and Trips• University & College Tours• Community Service• Educational, Cultural and

Social Events

WHO Are the Drury Scholars?

How Did We Do Last Year?

 

• 149 students - college tours• 20 students - Infinite Scholars• 28 college applications – seven seniors accepted at

colleges of their choice• 17 of our students took ACT exam - almost half

increased score by three points.• Four seniors in yearlong program received academic

scholarships.

WHAT Did the College Access College Grant Do?

1. Supported the need2. Connected us to outreach – Infinite Scholars3. Provided workshops with current MO statistics4. Best practices5. Mechanism to connect to the community for

additional support

1. Identify Need (Achievement Gap)2. Focus on factors that impact academic

success:• Active Mentors• Strong Peer-Peer Relationships with High

Achieving Students• College Experience While in High School• College Prep Courses While in High School

Summary

Questions

Francine Prattfpratt@drury.edu

916.541.1675

Missouri College Access Challenge Grant

College Access & Student ImpactNovember 11, 2013

St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP) The St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP) provides hope and opportunity for high

school students in financial need through paid summer internships, intensive employability training, and year-round college and career

planning, in partnership with businesses and community organizations.

SLIP Overview• Founded by Thomas C.

Hullverson in 1992 after the Rodney King incident

• Created to give hope and direction to the inner city youth living in St. Louis

• Students receive work readiness training and internship placement

• SLIP has served over 3,400 high school students

• Over 98% of SLIP students have graduated high school and pursued postsecondary endeavors

• College access is an integral part of SLIP’s year-round model

College & CareersCareers• Eight-week internships preceded by

a guided application process and rigorous work readiness training and followed by year-round college access activities

• Paid internships are widely recognized as critical to preparing students for work

• Hands-on training is carefully designed to meet current job requirements

• Students build professional networks

College• College preparation is stressed

throughout all SLIP activities• Establishing a college-going culture

is a major goal• College access activities assist

students with the application and financial aid process and familiarize students with college culture to maximize the potential for success

• Field experiences on college campuses in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield expand the students’ horizons and help them become more comfortable with the college environment

CAGC Activities• Recruitment/outreach activities to 6,000 high school students in all 25 public,

charter, parochial, and private high schools in the City of St. Louis• College planning, financial aid, and financial literacy workshops for SLIP

sophomores and juniors as part of work readiness training prior to internships• ACT Prep sessions with The Princeton Review for the October and February

ACT exams, including fee assistance for supplementary ACT tests• Lunch & Learn workshop for seniors/parents on the FAFSA, financial literacy

for college financing, and college admissions• Field experiences on at least four Missouri campuses to expand the horizons of

students who do not travel beyond their neighborhoods• The Creating Executive Opportunities (CEO) summer precollegiate program

designed by SLIP at MO State University to introduce the college environment• SLIP scholarships and awards• Access to SLIP’s College Resource Room• Monthly follow-up through the first year of college to encourage persistence

Impact• Number Served– Over 850 students received

services through CAGC since 2009

• Collaboration is Key– Colleges/Universities– Other college access

programs– Credit unions/banks

Questions Shanise Johnson, Program Director

St. Louis Internship Program4232 Forest Park Avenue, Room 1027

St. Louis, MO 63108Phone: 314.371.SLIP (7547) Fax: 314.371.7711

URL: www.stlouisinternship.org

Questions

Derrick HaulenbeekResearch Associate – Missouri Department of Higher Education

Phone: 573-522-2384Email: derrick.haulenbeek@dhe.mo.gov