Supporting Low-Income, First Generation Students - PowerPoint Presentation

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Supporting Low-Income, First Generation Students

November 2016Tyrone Brown, Interim Access Program DirectorShaCara Telemaque, Access Team ManagerBottom Line - Massachusetts

500 Amory Street, Suite 3

Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

www.bottomline.org

tbrown@bottomline.org

stelemaque@bottomline.org

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will: Be able to define first generation vs first in familyArticulate ways to best serve this population of students

Norms

Respect othersAssume best intentionsListen activelyTake risks, but recognize limitsChallenge ideas, not people

Agenda

Welcome, Objectives, Agenda

Demographics

Prospective Students

Admitted Students

Enrolled Students

Best Practices

Closing

First Generation vs. First In Family

Family DefinitionsLow-Income GuidelinesDemographics

Federal Low-Income Guidelines

 Low-income is considered 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and “poor” is defined as 100 percent of the poverty level. Source: Mass. Poverty Law Advocates, 1/27/2016

Prospective Students

Micah lives with his grandmother, who is his legal guardian. Neither one of his parents or grandparents went to college. Micah talks to his mom regularly and put in her tax information on the FAFSA on his own.

Prospective Student SampleAny suggestions for Micah?

Prospective Students

Social Security Administration issuesNameCitizenship statusLimited parental support or knowledgeImportance of filing taxes on time and correctly

Complex financial aid processes and forms

“Non-traditional” family situations

Admitted Students

Laura has been accepted into Bottom Line University! She submitted her FAFSA in December and received a tentative award letter. Laura never logged back into her FAFSA after submitting it and doesn’t check her mail or email regularly.

Admitted Student SampleAny worries or concerns for Laura?

Admitted Students

Completing verification requirementsIncomeCitizenshipUnderstanding award lettersEstimating living expenses when calculating cost of attendance

Enrolled Students

Sammi has submitted his deposit for Bottom Line University and his family has just enough to cover his Fall semester bill. Sammi has work-study on his financial aid letter but doesn’t know what that means or consists of. He’ll need money for books asap.

Enrolled Student SampleWhat would you do for Sammi?

Undergraduate Students

Re-explaining financial situations every yearNoncustodial parentDependency overrideLow-income verificationCovering unexpected personal or family expenses

Earning maximum work study funds

Paying for books

In regards to providing financial aid support, which students do you feel most prepared to assist?Prospective StudentsAdmitted StudentsEnrolled Students

Mini-Activity

Best Practices

Where can students (Prospective, Admitted, and Enrolled) get support through this process?

From their high school by a well versed guidance/college counselorLocal CBOs(Community Based Organizations) that provide college applications/financial aid supportThe financial aid office of the schools they are applying toFirst Generation, Low-Income support groups on the college campus(multicultural centers, bridge programs, etc)

Any other potential resources you can think of?

Potential Resources

Best Practices, Part 1

Familiarize yourself with first-gen and low income students on campusUse inclusive languageFamilySocioeconomic statusEducation levels

Citizenship status

Don’t make assumptions on the student’s background

Reassure them that their questions are valid

Remember that this is new to them, whereas you are the expert

Best Practices, Part 2

Be a willing guide or provide them with a point personUtilize other departments if possible to provide additional and consistent supportProvide quality customer serviceStaff training, make sure staff knows what to answer and what to escalate

Make deliberate deadlines(parents may have multiple w2s, etc.)

Thank You!

Questions?