FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS

Alex Gonzalez & Jennifer SatalinoNELA Center for Student Success

WHO ARE WE

Paid Staff AmeriCorps

Members Work Study

Students Volunteers Students Families

WHY WE’RE HERE

To meet the needs in our community

in the areas of planning and

paying for education after

high school

WHAT WE DOHelp students with: meeting high school

graduation and/or college entrance requirements

college selection and application process

financial aid and finding scholarships

essay writing

All Free!

FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS

Alex Gonzalez & Jennifer SatalinoNELA Center for Student Success

WHO IS A FIRST GENERATION STUDENT?

Your words:

FIRST GENERATION DEFINITIONS

Students not having a parent who graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree

Thomas, et al., 1998 Students whose parents have had no

college or university experience Bilson and Terry, 1982

“FIRST GENERATION”- NCES

First in the family to attend college

A member of the first generation of a family to attend college

Parents without a baccalaureate degree

“FIRST GENS” TEND TO BE From low income families Members of a racial or ethnic minority

group More likely to be female Lower scoring on college entrance exams Less prepared academically Lacking support from those at home,

particularly family and friends

CHARACTERISTICS:

Linear Time Analytic/Abstract Self-Disciplined/Focused Ability to delay gratification Ability to Strategize

DONNA BEEGLE

CHARACTERISTICS OF PRINT CULTURE:

Linear Time Analytic/Abstract Self-Disciplined/Focused Ability to delay gratification Ability to Strategize

CHARACTERISTICS OF ORAL CULUTURE

Relationships Spontaneous Repetitive Holistic Emotional Present-Oriented Agonistic

CASE STUDIES

Print Culture Oral Culture We report. You decide

CASE STUDY NUMBER ONE

All students assigned email account when application is received.

Communication takes place over email Automated document requests Complete all paperwork online Fax in tax returns and scanned in Superefficient financial aid office of the

future!

CASE STUDY 1- PRINT CULTURE

Student logs into their campus email Feels part of the campus even before they arrive

Student and parents respond to Verification Requests

Student fills in promissory note and Entrance Interview online

Happy with the efficiency- feels ready to start!

CASE STUDY 1- ORAL CULTURE

Didn’t access website; didn’t know about the email account

Waits to hear back from the college Misses Verification deadline Asks for paper Prom Note Asks for help with Entrance Interview Doesn’t check email

CASE STUDY NUMBER TWO

High need high school Families not attending Financial Aid Night

Fewer each year Basketball or other events conflict with

Financial Aid Night Counselors feeling overwhelmed and un-

prepared to hold hands during the financial aid process

CASE STUDY NUMBER TWO

Basketball game Half Time Show Five minutes Involved

cheerleaders & placards

CASE STUDY 2- ORAL CULTURE

Felt excited Generated “buzz” in school and community Motivated to take action Younger siblings paid attention as well

CASE STUDY 2- PRINT CULTURE

Felt uncomfortable Felt that Alex “dumbed down” the message Had nothing to take away or take home- no

flyer, no brochure Has already done her FAFSA- why would

we wait until Jan 28th to have this message delivered?

EXTREME EXAMPLES- LESSONS?

Control your message “Cliff Notes” Distribution Process Encoding/Decoding What did you take away?

WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

Printed information. Financial aid. College admissions. Scholarship opportunities.

Great information. College access. Accessing help.

WHAT CAN WE DO? PARTNER

Community programs Other mentor Share knowledge Be a mentor

WHAT CAN WE DO? CONTENT

Language Directions.

Example: “Google Maps”. Create your own program for your community.

Limit Topic Encourage

Recognizing the many small steps necessary to get to college.

Declaring intent to attend college. College selection. Scholarship search. Essay writing. FAFSA or undocumented alternative. College applications.

Celebrating each milestone.

WHAT CAN WE DO? SMALL VICTORIES

WHAT CAN WE DO? MENTOR

Become a mentor yourself. Implement a mentoring program.

Expand an existing program. Create your own program.

Become an expert resource for mentoring programs in your community.

Talk about and encourage mentoring.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT?

Practice makes you better Walk through an example My Pet Peeve “The Magic FAFSA”

“you’re done!” FAFSA is all you need NCAN presentation

MAGIC FAFSA

What are our Cliff Notes? FAFSA is the first step Communicate with your Financial Aid Office Give them what they ask for OSAC Apply to many to get any Scholarship Search is a year ‘round sport Magic OSAC

PRACTICE

Organize for private scholarships Finding and applying

Scholarships are not just for high school students

Not just your 4.0 students Graduating in 4 years is a scholarship itself! FAFSA school code= college admission

FAFSA every year! Have a financial plan- get help if you need it Make a plan!

Work your plan Tell somebody else your plan

READ Ask questions if you don’t understand!

Apply for housing Make yourself available- come in and ask

me if you need help Don’t assume students can use the

computer Cycle of life for financial aid

MEDIA

Online Mail Text Facebook Phone Counselor / Mentor/ Agency