Demystifying the Financial Aid Process for Minority Students

1. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process for Minority Students RMASFAA Conference 2010 October 11, 2010

2. Gates Millennium Scholars Purpose The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, established in 1999, is a 1.6 billion dollar initiative funded by grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for 20,000 outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their full potential.

3. Gates Millennium Scholars Program Overview • Reduce financial barriers for students of color with high academic and leadership promise who have a significant financial need. • African American • Hispanic American  • American Indian/Alaska Native and • Asian Pacific Islander American • Increase the representation of target groups in disciplines where people of color are severely underrepresented. • computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences • Provide seamless support from undergraduate through selected graduate programs in support of developing a diversified cadre of future leaders for America.

4. Gates Millennium Scholars About the Program • UNCF—the United Negro College Fund is the administrator of the GMS initiative and has partnered with the following organizations: • Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund • American Indian Graduate Center Scholars • Hispanic Scholarship Fund

5. Gates Millennium Scholars Eligibility Criteria • African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific American or Hispanic Americans; • Citizens/permanent residents of the United States; • Cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (at the time of confirmation); • Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited college or university in the fall of 2011 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student (with the exception of students pursuing a high school diploma while concurrently enrolled). First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients. • Significant demonstrated financial need as defined by Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria; and • Demonstrated leadership commitment through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities that reflect leadership abilities.

6. Gates Millennium Scholars Awarding Process: April - October • Last-dollar scholarship award • Funds unmet need as determined by the financial aid award letter provided by the institution • Provides opportunity for undergraduate college education in any discipline or field • Awards are renewable for Gates Millennium Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress

7. Gates Millennium Scholars Awarding Process: April - October • Gates Scholars are eligible to renew their award annually based upon specified funding term limits. • Graduate level Gates Scholars must study one of the following disciplines to renew their award: • Computer Science • Education • Engineering • Library Science • Mathematics • Public Health • Science

8. Gates Millennium Scholars Scholarship Awards • GMS has awarded over $593 million in scholarships since the year 2000 • Average award 2001-2010: $11,593 • Funded over 14,000 Gates Scholars at over 1,500 colleges and universities • Gates Scholars have represented all 50 states and several U.S. territories and commonwealths

9. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Common Barriers • First generation • Limited access to technology • Difficulty obtaining finances • Inadequate family support • Deficient in financial resources • Navigating FAFSA process • Parents unable or unwilling to provide documentation • Absence of official documentation

10. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices • Financial literacy for student and parent(s)/guardian • Promote inclusion • Tailor messaging • Clear/obvious expectations • Ongoing dialogue

11. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices • Register with Minority-based Programs • American Indian College Fund http://www.collegefund.org/scholarships/main.html • Hispanic College Fund www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships • America’s Black Collegians http://www.collegefund.org/scholarships/main.html • U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce http://uspaacc.com/index.php/programs/college-scholarships/

12. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices • Accessibility of information in more than one format • Work in partnership to promote desired outcome • Cooperation • Responsiveness • Heightened understanding

13. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices • Develop Relationships • Financial Aid Office and Institution representatives • Applicable service providers (e.g., TRIO, GMS) • Maintain Strong Lines of Communication • Regular Follow-up • Frequent e-mail/or automated messaging • Instructional materials

14. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process:Facilitating a Supportive & Successful Experience • Work in partnership with existing support network • Mentors/Student Advocates • Parents • Other Relevant Representatives

15. Demystifying the Financial Aid Process:Facilitating a Supportive & Successful Experience • Provide as much detail as possible • Components of COA • Direct vs. Indirect Costs • EFC • FAFSA Verification Process

16. Gates Millennium Scholars Discussion…… What are some ways that programs like GMS can better communicate the needs of its students with Financial Aid Offices? How can lines of communication regarding the needs of minority students be improved?

17. Contact Information Damien Nugent Senior Relationship Manager Gates Millennium Scholars/UNCF E-mail: damien.nugent@gmsp.org Website: www.gmsp.org Phone: 703-205-3467 Christa Moya Director of Financial Aid/Student Services Gates Millennium Scholars/American Indian Graduate Center Scholars E-mail: christa@aigcs.org Website: www.gmsp.org Phone: 505-884-7007 If you have a financial aid question regarding Gates Scholars, simply e-mail us at FAREP@GMSP.ORG.