The Inspiration

“Only 3 percent of Minnesota’s African American and American Indian 9th graders, and 5 percent of

Latino 9th graders, are projected to complete a bachelor’s degree before they are 25 years old.”

Citizen’s League Higher Education Report 2004

The Promise

Graduate from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public high school in the spring and you can go to college in the fall, TUITION FREE.

Why Minneapolis/St. Paul?

Public Schools at a Glance    

  Minneapolis Saint Paul

Number of Students 36,370 41,225

Eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch 66.8% 70.9%

Students of Color 71.8% 73.5%

The Power of YOU Goals: 1. Reach Back: Change Expectations and

Improve College Readiness

2. Grants: Increase Participation by Removing Financial Barriers

3. Retention Services: Increase College Graduation Rates

Program Requirements

•Graduate from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public high school •Reside in either the city of Minneapolis or the city of Saint Paul•Meet the criteria to apply for federal financial aid•Meet the admission requirements of the college/university •Enroll in 12 credits each term•Participate in 30 hours of service learning •Enroll in “Strategies for College Success” class•Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards each term•No Income Cap

Our Community PartnersEndorsed By:

The Minnesota Business Partnership City of Lakes Chamber of CommerceSaint Paul Chamber of Commerce

In Collaboration With:YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis African American Family Services NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Page Education FoundationHospitality House Youth Directions Circle of Discipline Achieve!Minneapolis Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Schools Hennepin County YMCA of Greater St. Paul Neighborhood House Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul

Funded By:3M Foundation ADC Foundation F.R. Bigelow Foundation General Mills Foundation Graco Foundation Jerry Christenson Family Mardag Foundation Medtronic Foundation RBC Dain Rauscher Minneapolis Foundation Otto Bremer Foundation Tennant Foundation Perlman Foundation St. Paul Travelers Foundation Xcel Energy Foundation Saint Paul Foundation Timberwolves/Lynx Mpls. Empowerment Zone Mpls. Downtown Network

Meet Our First Power of YOU Class Registered Fall 06 Students %

Black or African American 193 54.1%

White 84 23.5%

Asian 46 12.9%

Hispanic/Latino 18 5.0%

American Indian 15 4.2%

Other 1 0.3%

Total Students 357 100.0%

Gender Students %

Female 208 58.3%

Male 149 41.7%

Total Students 357 100.0%

Financial Profile

Total Students (357)

Average Household Income $30,000

Average Cost Per Student (Scholarships) $1,050

Average Cost Per Student (Support Services) $855

Evaluation Results

•Enrollment of Minneapolis and Saint Paul public school graduates doubled over prior year; 76% were students of color.

•4 of 5 students reported the program influenced their decision to attend college.

•Power of YOU students had an overall retention rate of 85% during the first year.

•The program did not simply draw students to MCTC and Saint Paul College who would have attended college anyway.

Evaluation Results

•The colleges experienced large increases in Black students, low-income students, ESL students and students taking developmental courses.

•Almost one-third of Power of YOU students made their decision to attend college in their senior year.

•A higher proportion of Power of YOU students took developmental courses (81% v 68% at MCTC and 75% v 60% at SPC).

Evaluation Results

•On average, Power of YOU students had a higher GPA during fall semester than their non-POY classmates.

•Average cumulative GPA at the end of the first year was the same for POY and non-POY students.

•At the end of the first year, 62% of Power of YOU students were in good academic standing.

Challenges

•Extent to which students were under-prepared for college

•Concerns by sister institutions about enrollment and fund raising

•Fear about creating expectations that could not be fulfilled

•FAFSA as a barrier for undocumented students

•Concerns about long-term sustainability

Questions?

http://www.minneapolis.edu/powerofyou/index.html

http://www.saintpaul.edu/powerofyou/index.aspx