“Don’t Take us for GRANTed!” The Role of Grant Programs in Student Affairs

WHAT ARE GRANTS? Competitive (re-apply) Time Sensitive (multi-year) Objective Based/Accountability Funded through U.S. Department of Education

STUDENT AFFAIRS SOURCES OF FUNDING

WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS? *LOW-INCOME, FIRST-GENERATION, AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE

STUDENTS CONTINUED… *High school senior Fall ‘12 college enrollment reflects data collected from federal grant programs who target pre-college students (Talent Search, Upward Bound, GEAR UP, and Student to Student). Total = 233

STUDENTS CONTINUED…

STUDENTS ARE THE REASON DANIEL PATINO As a 9 th grader from Central Davis Junior High entered Upward Bound. Uses Upward Bound, academics, and music to overcome challenges. Graduates from Layton High School having achieved several prestigious awards. Currently has completed second year of college at Weber State University.

WHO WE ARE Student Support Services Provides services to currently enrolled WSU students, geared toward increasing retention and graduation rates. Eligible students must be first-generation, low-income or have a documented disability. SSS awards over $68,000 in financial aid annually.

Veterans Upward Bound Veterans Upward Bound works with military veterans only, to provide academic and other support services that will help veterans, enter into, and successfully graduate from college. Veterans Upward Bound is not a part of Veterans Affairs but works cooperatively with them and cannot work with active military members or the families or survivors of veterans or military members. Veterans Upward Bound is the only program of its kind in Utah and only one of 51 in the United States.

Upward Bound 6 week summer residential program. Community service learning projects. Saturday morning pre-college study hall.

Talent Search We serve 510 students in the Ogden School District (grades 8-12). Students need to have a 2.5 or higher GPA to enroll & stay in the program. 96% of participants are low income and/or first generation.

GEAR UP (GAINING EARLY AWARENESS & READINESS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS) GEAR UP seeks to provide low-income, underserved, and first generation students with resources and services that improve the likelihood of their postsecondary success (enrollment and completion). GEAR UP provides early college preparation and awareness services through: Comprehensive mentoring, tutoring and support to increase academic performance and rate of graduation. Activities and information to foster and improve parent and family engagement in preparing students for all aspect of college (application, admissions, financial aid, testing, college visits, etc. Types of Grants: State and District: Partnership (Cohort Model): Serves at least one entire grade, 7-12, (School qualifies for low-income eligibility requirements) and follows them thru graduation–4 Schools in the Ogden School District students State (Priority Model): Can serve students in grades K-FY College (Student qualifies for low-income eligibility requirements) – 6 Schools in the Weber & Davis School Districts students.

Small Learning Communities Academic advisement. Opportunities to participate in advanced placement courses. Students not covered within the Ogden GEAR UP grant have the same college preparation and services provided to them: Mentoring Activities College Application

USHE/Citi (Student to Student) Provides information to students and families on postsecondary education. Develops and delivers: Admission Financial Aid Academic and financial preparation Tutoring/Mentoring Expands and enhances the statewide infrastructure in Utah.

FINANCIAL PICTURE

ALLAN DUBON Central Davis Junior high. Knew he wanted to go to college but he couldn’t afford it. Didn’t know how hard getting to college would be. Upward Bound provides cheerleaders and occasional drill sergeant. Is now a medical laboratory scientist, a teacher.

Intentional vs. General Referrals (Helpful Hints) “In economically developed countries, the U.S. is 8 out of 34 with access to post-secondary education, but 33 out of 34 with retention”

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Call to Action National, Regional and State Organizations (TRIO) Council for Opportunity in Education Regional and State ASPIRE i.e. National Policy Seminar, TRIO Day (GEAR UP) NCCEP-National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (ImPACT Grants) NCAN-National College Access Network CANU-College Access Network of Utah Get Involved at the state and federal level to educate our representatives on the value and importance of these educational programs

INSTITUTION/DIVISION IMPACT WSU Core Themes Access Learning Community Division Strategic Priorities Increase preparation, access & readiness of underrepresented students Enhance academic support and student success