New Mexico -College Access Challenge Grant Update (CACG)

1. New Mexico -College Access Challenge Grant Update (CACG) Presented by Oscar Garcia, NMEAF Natalie Sanchez, CSN Karen Kennedy, NMHED

2. CACG Partner Participants New Mexico Higher Education Department –with two sub-grantees, both 501 (c) (3) non-profits: • New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation (NMEAF) • College Success Network (CSN)

3. CACG Key Focus Areas • Marketing and Outreach • Professional Development • Access to Funds

4. CACG 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

5. CACG 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

6. CACG Marketing and Outreach Events

7. Pathways 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

8. College 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

9. College 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

10. College Goal Sunday 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

11. Albuquerque Public Schools (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 AlbuquerqueFAFSA 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.

12. New Mexico Commission on the Status 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

13. School 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

14. NM Forum Youth and Community Youth 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

15. Financial 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: • Budgeting • Credit • Banking • Identity Theft • Investing 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

16. Education Finance Council (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

17. Lead Roles (Select deliverables reviewed)

18. Coordinate a collaboration between major FAFSA completion programs in New Mexico including: College Goal Sunday (CGS) revival to at least 15 event sites per year CGS sustainability efforts – grant and fundraising efforts Reinstitute $500/site scholarship for CGS sites Increase Native American and low-income student filers by 10% Partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools FAFSA Trusted Centers

19. Support Professional Development for 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.

20. Scholarship Management Services Support scholarship data basing on contract Scholarship program promotions per contracts Finish Line Scholarship Management Other capacities to be defined

21. CACGAccess to Funds

22. NMHED Funding Scholarships Loan Repayment Programs

23. Scholarships College Goal Initiative Scholarships College Completion Scholarships

24. Loan Repayment Programs Health Professional Loan Repayment Program ARRA Health Professional Loan Repayment Program

25. P-20 Data System • PED-STARS • HED-DEAR • DWS-Labor • The sharing of data from all agencies will allow New Mexico to collect better data • Better data will help target problem areas in the pipeline and focus resources appropriately

26. 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