savannah chatham fafsa completion challenge …...ncan has selected 25 u.s. cities to receive up to...

West Virginia HIGHER EDUCATION Policy Commission

Savannah – ChathamFAFSA Completion

Challenge Grant

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia


Today’s Topics

• FAFSA Completion Challenge

Grant Overview

• FAFSA Completion Importance

• Alignment and Collaboration

• Take-home ready

Materials/Resources



Overview

The FAFSA Completion

Challenge Grant is a competition-

based project facilitated by the

National College Access Network

(NCAN) and funded by The

Kresge Foundation and Great

Lakes Higher Education

Corporation & Affiliates



Overview

NCAN has selected 25 U.S. cities to receive up to $40,000 each for the 2018-19 FAFSA Completion Challenge Grant. In an effort to address equity gaps, this Challenge specifically focuses on cities with current FAFSA completion rates below the national average.



Overview

NCAN will award a $100,000 grand prize in September 2019 at its national conference in Indianapolis to one city based on a holistic review of the percentage growth in completions, adoption of effective strategies, barriers overcome, and likelihood of sustainability.


West Virginia HIGHER EDUCATION Policy CommissionBoard of Regents of the University System of Georgia

The #1 predictor of whether a

student will enroll in higher

education is completion of the

FAFSA.

- U.S. Dept. of Education


Overview

Completion Effort Positives

➢ Because as a collective group there is an understanding about the importance of this project

➢ The needed data tracking systems are already in place

➢ The existing community and state partnerships are vibrant

➢ And, there is room for growth…



Did you know?

PROGRESS:➢ In 2017, 55.1% of Georgia’s high school

seniors successfully completed a FAFSA.➢ In 2018, 58.3% of Georgia high school seniors

completed a FAFSA.➢ In 2018, the national average was 60.9%.

GOAL: ➢ In 2019, SCCPSS high school seniors will

have a FAFSA completion rate higher than the state average.



Ninety percent of high school seniors who complete FAFSA attend college directly after high school, compared to just 55 percent of FAFSA non-completers.

- National College Access Network


Partnerships & Collaborations

PARTNER INVOLVMENT➢ Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools➢ City of Savannah➢ Chatham County Commission➢ Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA)➢ Georgia Student Finance Commission➢ Georgia Technical College System➢ Savannah State University➢ Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus➢ Savannah Technical College➢ Georgia Association of Student Financial Aid➢ Chatham County Youth Commission➢ Savannah Baptist Ministers Association➢ Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance



Partnerships & Collaborations

TYPES of EVENTS and SUPPORT➢ Community Partnership Meeting

➢ FAFSA Kick Off Press Conference

➢ Financial aid presentations with local institutions of higher education

➢ “Lunch and learn” sessions

➢ FAFSA Fun Day

➢ “Apply for FAFSA” Days combined with a “Apply to College” Days

➢ MEGAGENESIS

➢ FAFSA Party (Chatham County Youth Commission)

➢ Financial Literacy (Through Economics class)

➢ Parent University



Partnerships & CollaborationsCOMMUNITY PARTNER IMPORTANCE

➢ Increase community awareness

➢ Help establish a framework for continued support and services

➢ Multiply the power of advocacy

➢ Work in partnerships to get all stakeholders i. e. individuals,

organizations and alliances to help accomplish goals

➢ Increase the number of people and groups to improve efforts, promote strength, and build capacity



Partnerships & CollaborationsROLE WE PLAY

➢ Partner with agencies in our identified area

➢ Inform community leaders, decision makers about FAFSA efforts in

the community

➢ Invite partners to participate in our efforts

➢ Ask others to get involved in our efforts

➢ Tell our story and provide testimony

➢ Offer assistance and expertise

➢ Encourage and promote sustainability



Get Involved➢Wear FAFSA badges at work or community

events

➢Post signs and banners

➢Publicize financial aid facts and/or deadlines

➢Publicize your schools’ FAFSA completion rates



Local FAFSA workshops



District/School Alignment

➢ Support from district and building administrators➢ Counselor Training Sessions

➢ https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/➢ District Competitions

➢ Growth Model➢ Information and Data Sharing

➢ Agreement with GSFC➢ GSFC

➢ Weekly progress reports



FAFSA: RatesCheck in on your schools’ FAFSA completion rates regularly.

Celebrate successes and encourage everyone in the community to support your FAFSA completion goal.

Post and share updates to keep the momentum going!



FAFSA campaign



FAFSA: MaterialsPotential uses:

➢Badges - “First U Haf-ta FAFSA”

➢Green Graduation Cords

➢Staff T-shirts “FAFSA Fridays”

➢Locker Magnets – Students who complete FAFSA

➢Wrist Bands – Student who completed FAFSA

➢School Thermometer

➢School Banner

➢FAFSA Challenge Cup (district winner)



Dozens of short informational videos… Potential Uses

➢Email blasts

➢Websites

➢Workshops

➢School media

➢Waiting areas

➢Social media

Federal Student Aid: Info Videos

YouTube: youtube.com/FederalStudentAid

Download: StudentAid.gov/resources



ContactMelissa GattusoDirector of Implementation - Academic Affairs, Targeted Initiatives404-962-3132• [email protected]

Kimberly McGuireSchool Counselor- Sol C. Johnson High School912-395-6408• [email protected]

Kim Jackson-Allen, Ed.D.School Counselor- Alfred E. Beach High School912-395-5330• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

savannah chatham fafsa completion challenge …...ncan has selected 25 u.s. cities to receive up to...

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