1. Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program Belen Gonzalez, Program Director, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust

2. Nina Scholars Criteria Established in 2001 at four institutions: Arizona State University, Maricopa Community Colleges, IUPUI, Ivy Tech Target Populations: – Adults 25 years or older with dependents – College age youth with physical disabilities – Foster youth that have transitioned out of child welfare system Applicants should also: – Have less than 24 degree-applicable credit hours – Demonstrate financial need

3. What’s included in the Nina Scholars program? Tuition assistance (amount varies) Nina Scholar Program Director and support staff Student support services Class (cohort) experience Passport Program Up to four years of support at community colleges and up to six years at universities.

4. Nina Scholar Evaluation 2001-2007: Six- year longitudinal study comparing Nina Scholars to students who were eligible but not selected for the program. 2007- Current: Internal report comparing Nina Scholar performance with data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Beginning 2014- Longitudinal study following Nina Scholars in Class 14

5. Nina Scholars- Show me the numbers! Through the first 11 years of the program, 494 students entered with 65 percent graduating or persisting, across all schools and populations. – Adults with Dependents- 57% of the Nina Scholars, graduation rate of 64% – Youth with Physical Disabilities- 16% of the Nina Scholars, gradation rate of 62% – Foster Youth- 27% of the Nina Scholars, graduation rate of 40%

6. Nina Scholars- It’s working! Arizona State University IUPUIMCCCDIvy Tech Foster Youth Graduation Rate 63%69%25%18%

7. Nina Scholars and Youth Engagement Nina Scholar Advisory Council iLead Conference Student Success Committee Class Welcome Orientation College Success Course Nina Scholar dedicated space

8. New Features Nina Scholar Graduate School Assistance Fund Building on the Foster Care Tuition Waiver in Arizona Connection to the Arizona Youth Opportunities Initiative