College Illinois! Corps Making college accessible & affordable for Illinois students

ISAC’s BIG GOAL 60% Completion by 2025 Increase the proportion of Illinois adults with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2025

Preview of Presentation College Illinois! Corps Overview Partnerships with Community Based Organizations High School Partnerships Serving as Mentors to First-Generation & Low- Income Students

College Illinois! Corps Funded through US Dept. of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP) The purpose of the College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP) is to foster partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and philanthropic organizations through matching challenge grants that are aimed at increasing the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. 69 staff working in every Community College district throughout Illinois (39), including Chicago

College Illinois! Corps Increase FAFSA Completion in Illinois High Schools Provide direct assistance to students and families ▫Financial Aid Process ▫College Applications ▫Searching & Applying for Scholarships

By the numbers…. 5,816 students since 2009  1 st generation: 2,956 students  Low Income: 2,530 students This year: 3,958 students 1 st generation: 1,980 students Low Income: 1,833 students 1,643 FAFSAs completed this year 2,528 college applications 173 schools with moderate to intensive involvement

College Illinois! Corps How we reach students: ▫Schools ▫Libraries ▫Community programs/events ▫College Fairs ▫Volunteer Opportunities ▫Sporting Events

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations What are CBO’s ▫Social Service Organization  CEP (tax assistance partnership)  English Learning Language (Skokie) ▫Youth Organizations  Stay 4 Program (Bloomington, IL)  GWAYO – Greater Wheeling Area Youth Organization,  Boys & Girls Club (Urbana, Rockford, etc…) ▫Faith Based Institutions  Churches and Private Schools near Zion, Il.

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations How do we choose which organizations to partner with ▫Aligned Mission ▫Accessibility to students and families ▫Low administrative cost and efficient access

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations Examples of Partnerships: Stay 4 Program ▫Mission: Help at Risk Youth complete college education ▫ISAC’s role:  Meet and plan w/ directors and students  Accompany on college visits  Assist w/ FAFSAs ▫Students are required to meet w/Corps rep ▫Students recruited via HS counselors

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations Examples of Partnerships: GWAYO ▫Mission: Assist low-income students with grades ▫ISAC’s role: Assist students after HW time during 30 min ‘game’ period ▫Program has existed for 8 years-not established via Corps reps ▫CIC no longer partners with GWAYO

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations Examples of Partnerships: Boys and Girls Club- Mississippi Valley ▫Mission: To enable all young people..to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. ▫ISAC’s role:  Career Launch (Fall to Spring)  Kicking It to College (Spring-Summer)

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations Examples of Partnerships: ELL Program ▫Mission: Provide literacy, access to community organizations, and parent education ▫ISAC’s role and methods:  Provide College Planning Resources  Set up table at evening events 1x per week

College Illinois! Corps & Community Based Organizations : Examples Faith Based Institutions: ▫CIC Scope=Beyond Traditional H.S. atmosphere ▫Partnerships developed through:  Parishoner or youth leader attending presentation  Faith-Based United groups ▫More flexibility and funds than schools ▫ISAC’s role:  Provide programming based on interests  Assist students through college visits

College Illinois! Corps & High Schools Presentations ▫Welcome to College ▫Paving the Road to College ▫Taking the Tough Classes ▫College 101 ▫College Jeopardy ▫Preparing for the ACT ▫Breaking Down College Applications ▫Path of the FAFSA ▫Welcome to College ▫Supporting your High School Student

College Illinois! Corps & High Schools Office Hours ▫Open ▫By appointment Lunch Hours Classes (English, Senior Resource, Consumer Ed) Parent Teacher Conferences Homerooms Career Centers College Visits

Emphasis on Mentoring First- Generation & Low-Income Students Diverse Mentoring Programs  South Suburban District  Elgin District  Morton District  Black Hawk District  Danville District  Kaskaskia District  Prairie State District  Illinois Central District

Emphasis on Mentoring First- Generation & Low-Income Students  Meeting with schools, CBO’s, etc.  Identifying mentees  Mentoring guidebook  Individual mentoring activities  Group mentoring activities

Emphasis on Mentoring First- Generation & Low-Income Students Student Testimonial Video!

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