New Mexico -College Access Challenge Grant Update (CACG)

Presented by Presented by

Oscar Garcia, NMEAFOscar Garcia, NMEAF

Natalie Sanchez, CSNNatalie Sanchez, CSN

Karen Kennedy, NMHEDKaren Kennedy, NMHED

CACG Partner ParticipantsCACG Partner Participants

New Mexico Higher Education Department –with two sub-New Mexico Higher Education Department –with two sub-grantees, both 501 (c) (3) non-profits:grantees, both 501 (c) (3) non-profits:

New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation (NMEAF)(NMEAF)

College Success Network (CSN)College Success Network (CSN)

CACG Key Focus AreasCACG Key Focus Areas

Marketing and OutreachMarketing and Outreach

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Access to FundsAccess to Funds

CACG Goals for New MexicoCACG Goals for New Mexico

Increase underrepresented students’ and families’ awareness of postsecondary opportunities

Assist high number of minority, low income, rural families of New Mexico that would not otherwise receive in-person information about postsecondary opportunities

Coordinate with high school counselors and financial aid administrators statewide to conduct information workshops for students, counselors, and families

CACG Goals – Cont’dCACG Goals – Cont’d

Foster partnerships with organizations that have similar missions

Educate and provide guidance to students, families and counselors on the educational and career choices that are available in New Mexico

Increase awareness of funding opportunities available to New Mexican residents

CACG CACG Marketing and Outreach EventsMarketing and Outreach Events

Pathways to College and Career DayPathways to College and Career Day This event is collaboration between the New Mexico Higher

Education Department, NMEAF and postsecondary institutions.

Provides students with hands-on activities from the various postsecondary institutions that promote a college education – these activities have a combination of entertainment and information for the entire family.

NM colleges and universities attend the event so our NM students can gather information to promote and attend a college or university.

Postsecondary Institutions attendees: 21

Student attendees: 6,000

College DaysCollege Days Fairs encourage students to learn how college

can make a difference for them.

The fair participants travel to every corner of the state talking with students and their guidance counselors promoting college and career exploration.

Total of attendees: 19,099

College Connection NightsCollege Connection Nights

Fall & Spring semester programs reach high school seniors and their families across New Mexico with special emphasis on underserved audiences and rural communities. The popular collaborative events bring together postsecondary admissions personnel and financial aid experts who together provide a range of assistance. The “Navigating the Financial Aid” presentation, Financial Aid Handbook and additional materials have helped to build a base of knowledge essential for high school senior year.

Total events to date: 64 Total of attendees to date: 5,664

College Goal Sunday College Goal Sunday FAFSA Workshops FAFSA Workshops

Provide free on-site FAFSA completion assistance beginning in January each year.

Financial aid professionals work with prospective college students of all ages and their families in their communities statewide to ensure that all seniors complete their FAFSA.

Total FAFSA events to date: 34 Total 2010-2011attendees to date: 928

Albuquerque Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools (APS)/FSA FAFSA pilot project(APS)/FSA FAFSA pilot project

NMEAF was invited by APS and FSA officials to participate in the training of APS counselors. The training took place at various high schools in Albuquerque

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) held its first ever Albuquerque FAFSA Summit. The Summit brought together non-profit organizations, stakeholders, partners, teachers, parents, students and other community volunteers who expressed interest in assisting the Albuquerque student population by promoting the FAFSA.

The Summit addressed ways to help students pursue educational opportunities beyond high school.

New Mexico Commission on the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women – Girls’ InstituteStatus of Women – Girls’ Institute

The Institute is a program that provides proactive direct services to girls, ages 15-18, by offering them a safe and supportive environment to learn about financial literacy and personal self-esteem issues and develop skills that will help them become successful New Mexican women.

NMEAF has participated by providing college planning and financial literacy information and materials to event attendees.

Total student attendees: 32

School To World EventSchool To World Event Event offers middle school students insight into the world

of careers.

Non-profits like NMEAF/CSN, Albuquerque businesses, local government, and educational institutions come together at this event to light the pathway towards future education and career choices.

Students are given an opportunity to identify career interests and aptitudes to develop an education plan which supports personal career goals.

Total # of Attendees: 3,000

NM Forum Youth and Community NM Forum Youth and Community

Youth Practitioner’s SummitYouth Practitioner’s Summit Event is a statewide network that is both a catalyst and

support to the positive youth development movement.

NMEAF’s involvement in the network’s annual summit facilitates our participation in a wide range of community organizations serving youth.

Total student attendees: 300

Financial Literacy ProgramFinancial Literacy Program Money Matters website (http://moneymatters.nmslgc.org) entices users

to explore topics that will help them keep more money in their pockets, with student-driven vignettes, worksheets, calculators and other online resources covering:

BudgetingBudgeting CreditCredit BankingBanking Identity TheftIdentity Theft Investing in EducationInvesting in Education

Additionally, a presentation on financial literacy has been developed for the current financial literacy workshops being held throughout the State of New Mexico.

Total events to date: 24 Total of attendees to date: 4,208

Education Finance Council Education Finance Council (EFC) (EFC)

NMEAF contributed to New Mexico’s involvement in an EFC State Directory – the “Guide to College Access and Completion Programs”

EFC’s focus is on college access and completion programs offered by nonprofit student loan providers with partners such as the New Mexico Higher Education and the CACG partners

Lead RolesLead Roles(Select deliverables reviewed)(Select deliverables reviewed)

Coordinate a collaboration between Coordinate a collaboration between major FAFSA completion programs in major FAFSA completion programs in

New Mexico including:New Mexico including:

College Goal Sunday (CGS) revival to at least 15 event College Goal Sunday (CGS) revival to at least 15 event sites per yearsites per year

CGS sustainability efforts – grant and fundraising CGS sustainability efforts – grant and fundraising effortsefforts

Reinstitute $500/site scholarship for CGS sitesReinstitute $500/site scholarship for CGS sites

Increase Native American and low-income student Increase Native American and low-income student filers by 10% filers by 10% Partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools FAFSA Partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools FAFSA Trusted CentersTrusted Centers

Support Professional Development Support Professional Development for IHE Financial Aid Administratorsfor IHE Financial Aid Administrators

In tandem with a future NMASFAA Conference or similar event, coordinate with NMEAF trainings for financial aid community. Possible topics include:

Admissions requirements to institutions of higher education as they relate to financial aid deadlines for scholarships and financial aid awards

Financial aid and FAFSA completion programs

Financial literacy tools and programs

Also, oversee Counselors’ Academy for MS/HS.

Scholarship Management ServicesScholarship Management Services

Support scholarship data basing on contract

Scholarship program promotions per contracts

Finish Line Scholarship Management

Other capacities to be defined

CACGCACGAccess to FundsAccess to Funds

NMHED FundingNMHED Funding Scholarships Scholarships Loan Repayment ProgramsLoan Repayment Programs

ScholarshipsScholarships

College Goal Initiative Scholarships

College Completion Scholarships

Loan Repayment ProgramsLoan Repayment Programs

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program

ARRA Health Professional Loan Repayment Program

P-20 Data SystemP-20 Data System

PED-STARSPED-STARS HED-DEARHED-DEAR DWS-Labor DWS-Labor The sharing of data from all agencies will The sharing of data from all agencies will

allow New Mexico to collect better dataallow New Mexico to collect better data Better data will help target problem areas Better data will help target problem areas

in the pipeline and focus resources in the pipeline and focus resources appropriatelyappropriately

P-20 Data System (cont.)P-20 Data System (cont.) Shared data will make applying for Grants

more desirable when we can quantify the data

The data will also allow New Mexico to better predict future needs

Supported by House Bill 70, 2010