1. Pathway to the Baccalaureate Parent Information Session January 2016

2. Pathway to the Baccalaureate  Transition Team: works with your student while s/he is in high school, assists with transition to NOVA.  Susan Nieves-Campos, Assistant Director for Transition Services  Retention Team: works with your student while s/he is at NOVA, assists with academic advising, degree completion, transfer and career planning  Fran Troy, Assistant Director for Retention Services

3. Purpose of tonight…  Why NOVA?  What is Pathway? How does the Program work in the High Schools?  What happens when Pathway Students transition to NOVA?  What is the role of a Pathway Parent?  Q and A

4. Why NOVA?  Academics  Student Life  Athletics  Financial Aid & Scholarships  Guaranteed Admission Agreements  Articulation Agreements  Special Programs (MEC)

5. What to Expect & Program Benefits  Monthly workshops  Covering key topics about the college process (Welcome and Placement Testing, Financial Planning, Transition to College)  Individual Assistance with:  College Goal Planning  Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships (Super Saturdays)  Individual next steps  Early Placement Testing at your HS  Priority Registration and Course Selection Assistance  Continued support at NOVA …  SDV 100

6. Pathway as a resource in your High School  Pathway Transition Counselors spend one full day per week in each High School and communicate with students via email the remainder of the week  Counselors are available for scheduled appointments, drop-ins and workshops (topics may include placement test results, financial planning, majors, careers, course selection, concerns around college, etc.)  Counselors will send passes out to meet with students as necessary  Counselors can collect necessary documentation and bring copies to campus (Social Security card, Permanent Resident card, Visa information, financial aid documents, etc.)  Transition Counselors are available in the summer, at NOVA, to help Pathway students transition from High School to NOVA

7. Super Saturday FAFSA help in the High Schools  In addition to providing our Financial Planning workshop and being available for individual financial planning questions, NOVA is offering FAFSA completion assistance at the following high schools (note: this list may not be complete- check with your student’s high school for other opportunities) DateLocationTimeLocation January 27 th TC Williams5:00-8:00TBA January 28 th West Potomac6:30-8:30Library Stuart High School5:00-7:00Library January 30 th Annandale High School9:00-12:00Computer Lab Oakton High School9:00-12:00TBA February 2 nd Lee High School5:00-7:30Library February 6 th Centerville High School9:00-12:00Library February 10 th Hayfield Secondary School5:00-7:00Computer Lab February 20 th Falls Church High School9:00-12:00Library February 23 rd TC Williams High School5:00-8:00 TBA February 24 th Mount Vernon High School5:00-7:30 Cook Computer Lab

8. What Happens after High School Graduation? Retention — The One Stop Shop Pathway Retention Advisors are available to:  Provide insight into NOVA programs, policies, and procedures  Meet with students as needed, and respond to emails and phone calls  Recommend classes appropriately based on your intended major at NOVA, planned transfer school, and career goals  Provide resources and referrals as appropriate

9. A sampling of Retention Success Strategies  SDV 100 Class  On-Time Registration  Financial Aid Workshops  Tutoring Services  Counseling Services  Faculty Advising/Office Hours  Honors Program  College Central Services and Internships

10. Retention Continued … Student Independence Students are responsible for:  Communicating with your advisor(s) and professors  Making advising appointments  Coming to advising sessions prepared  Course selection and registration  Adhering to all posted NOVA, Pathway, and Transfer school regulations and deadlines

11. FERPA What is FERPA? FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html FERPA gives students the right to:  Inspect and review their educational records  Have some control over the disclosure of information  Seek to amend inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate educational records  File a complaint with the Family Compliance Office in the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC concerning alleged failure in complying with the requirements of FERPA

12. Who is required to comply with FERPA and Why?  All educational institutions which receive federal funds must comply.  It’s the law.  Failure to comply could result in the withholding of federal funds, including federal financial aid. This would negatively affect students and the institution.  Release of most information requires the student’s written consent.  FERPA rights continue after the student leaves the institution and are only terminated upon written request or death.

13. What does this mean for me?  You will have less direct interaction with the educational system in terms of communication on the behalf of your student. The student is now directly involved in the process. It’s actually a good thing!  Understanding FERPA can be a teaching and learning opportunity for you and your student as you help them learn to navigate post- secondary education and the adult/professional world.

16. College Steps Contact Information: Aaron Rakow, President Email: contactus@collegesteps.orgcontactus@collegesteps.org Phone: 802-881-4795

17. Disability Services Support at NOVA NOVA is committed to insuring all students have an opportunity to pursue a college education regardless of the presence or absence of a disability. NOVA will make reasonable accommodations in providing course, program and building modification, and/or auxiliary aids and services in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. No academically qualified student with a disability shall be denied access to or participation in the services, programs and activities of the College.  http://www.nvcc.edu/disability-services/

18. What should my student be doing now?  Planning to attend the Kick Off to College celebration at George Mason University on February 27, 2016. Invitations were sent via U.S. Mail. We request that you RSVP as soon as you receive your invitation.  Preparing to take the English and Math Placement tests.  Working with you (parents) to submit the FAFSA for school year 2016-2017. Both student and parent information is required. More information will be presented by NOVA’s Financial Aid Office at the Kick Off to College.  Information about completing, submitting and following up on the FAFSA is available at the following website: www.fafsa.ed.gov

19. Questions?