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Forming a Duo to Keep Our Students from Singing the Blues. Mary Turner and Alta Price Learning Support Specialists Oklahoma City Community College. A Brief History. Implemented Datatel circa 2000 Began using Retention Alert software in 2009 Retention CARE Registrar Appeals
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Forming a Duo to Keep Our Students from Singing the Blues Mary Turner and Alta Price Learning Support Specialists Oklahoma City Community College
A Brief History • Implemented Datatel circa 2000 • Began using Retention Alert software in 2009 • Retention • CARE • Registrar Appeals • Included Financial Aid Suspension Appeals in 2011
Changes Result in Collaboration • Shift in Federal Financial Aid Policy • Requirement of individual Financial Aid Success Plans (FASP) • Financial Aid and Student Support Services team up to provide additional academic support for students in jeopardy of losing their Financial Aid.
Purpose of the Academic Plan • Help students get back into “satisfactory” status. • Attempt to prevent students from losing Financial Aid. • Provide suggestions and resources to improve academic success.
Timeline of Implementation • Spring 2011 • Request additional Learning Specialist • Summer 2011 • Hired additional Learning Specialist • Started informing students of upcoming changes in Financial Aid • Fall 2011 • Create the FASP and work with IT on workflow and submission of students • Start working with students on probation to try to prevent them from needing a plan. • Spring and Summer 2012 • Start creating FASPs with students one-on-one. • Continue working with students on probation and disseminating information about Financial Aid changes.
Probation vs. Unsatisfactory • Students on probation • Email and attempt to inform them that if they are not successful, they will be in unsatisfactory status. • Encourage students to work with us. • Students who are in unsatisfactory status • Students are required to create FASP.
Process of FASP • Student submits appeal to Financial Aid • If approved Financial Aid notifies student and submits a referral to the Learning Specialist. • Learning Specialist contact student and schedules appointment. • Complete FASP with student and submit into student’s record. • Financial Aid sees completed FASP and monitors student’s compliance of terms.
Communications Management • Use Datatel-Colleague to send email notifications to students about scheduling an appointment with a Learning Specialist.
Results • As of August 6: • 176 successfully completed spring and/or summer classes • 61 students approved for summer were unsuccessful • 6 students moved from probation to satisfactory standing
Limitations • No way to require student compliance other than losing aid at end of semester. • No way to track whether students use available resources. • Cannot control for “life issues,” but can advocate for students.