1. Washington Council for High School College Relations
2015 Fall Counselor Workshop
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this morning. I am (name), representing the Washington Student Achievement Council. Staffing the table is __________ from WSAC and __________ from the College Success Foundation working on Washington College Access Network initiatives.

2. The Washington Student Achievement Council
About Us
Our Mission:
We advance educational opportunities and attainment in Washington. In pursuit of our mission, the Washington Student Achievement Council:
Leads statewide strategic planning to improve educational coordination and transitions.
Supports Washingtonians through the administration of financial aid, a college savings plan, and support services.
Advocates for the economic, social, and civic benefits of postsecondary education.
The Student Achievement Council is a relatively new agency. We began our work in July of 2012 replacing the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Council is made up of 9 members including 5 citizen members appointed by the governor and 1 member each appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Community and Technical Colleges, the Public 4 Year Colleges and Universities, and the Independent Colleges.
We look at education from preschool through grad school, particularly transition points such as high school to college and careers, and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on policies and funding to increase educational attainment for all students.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

3. Statewide Attainment Goals
In 2013 the council produced the state’s Roadmap to raise educational attainment by The proposed goals were adopted by the Legislature and are now the state’s goals – that every adult in our state should have a high school diploma. To reach the goal, high school and postsecondary attainment rates need to increase significantly. We are now at 89% for high school and about 50% for postsecondary credentials.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

4. Partners in Student Success
WSAC
Schools and Districts
College Success Foundation
GEAR UP
2-year and 4-year institutions
Regional Efforts (CCER, etc.)
OSPI
State Board of Education
Strong partnerships are critical to the success of the agency and students statewide.
WSAC is the administrator for state programs such as the College Bound Scholarship, the 12th Year Campaign, and State Need Grant. WSAC’s role is to establish these programs based upon legislative requirements and state needs. WSAC is the “hub” for information, publications, customizable templates and data associated with all these programs. Our partners in schools around the state collaborate with WSAC to disseminate information and publications about our programs.
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5. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Ready, Set, Grad
We realized that Washington needed a “one stop” education information site for students, families, and educators.
Ready, Set, Grad focuses on college readiness and financial aid, with content split into categories by student grade-level, parent, and educator.
We have incorporated Google Translate which allows families to access content in their native language.
Information for all of the programs we’ll be talking about today is available on this site.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

6. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Financial Aid
Programs
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

7. College Bound and State Need Grant
Since 1969, Washington State has assisted low-income residents with State Need Grant (SNG).
There are currently 68 colleges, universities, and other institutions participating in state aid programs.
The legislature created the College Bound Scholarship (CBS) Program in 2007.
In , 73,000 students received CBS or SNG funding totaling $335 million.
However, during the same time period, another 27,000 eligible students did not receive SNG funding.
Key points – Need based, private and public school, SNG long standing program, CBS newer, lots receive but still underfunding.
The 73,000 and $335M is a combo of SNG and CBS. 11,000 CBS received in (projecting 16,000 in 15-16).
All eligible CBS students are guaranteed state funding. This often is a combination of SNG and CBS.
- eligible = HS grad, 2.0, resident, no felony, financial need (Median Family Income).
State aid at 68 schools = SNG, CBS and Passport
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

8. College Bound Scholarship
College Bound is an early commitment of State Need Grant to eligible students.
The College Bound Scholarship is essentially an early commitment of State Need Grant to students in middle school who are from low-income families. Students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch and all foster youth are eligible for the program. Foster youth are automatically enrolled in College Bound through a data match with DSHS.
In most cases the combination of SNG and CBS will cover tuition and fees at public colleges. (And an equivalent amount at privates.)
Students can attend a private and receive the public equivalent.
Funds can be used to earn certificates or degrees in approved programs.
Students must continue to meet college’s satisfactory academic performance guidelines to retain the scholarship.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

9. The Washington Student Achievement Council
College Bound Pledge
In middle school, eligible students pledge to:
Graduate high school with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
Stay crime-free.
Prepare for and be admitted to college.
Apply for financial aid (FAFSA or WASFA) in a timely manner.
New to slide – WASFA (will desc more later)
Deadline to apply is June 30 of a student’s 8th grade year. Over 90% of last year’s 8th graders applied by the deadline. In all, over 214,000 students have applied for the program and are now in the middle school to high school to college pipeline.
Data show that College Bound students both graduate high school and attend postsecondary institutions at rates higher than those of their non-CBS low-income peers.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

10. 2015-16 College Bound Award Amounts
Key message – tuition at public rates. Award amounts vary by sector and school. Tuition, not a full ride.
College Bound Scholarship students will receive state funding each year if they continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria.
* Award amounts vary by school.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

11. The Washington Student Achievement Council
SNG Award Amounts
* Award amounts vary by school.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

12. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Options for DREAMers
DREAMers
Come from all backgrounds and life circumstances.
Majority are youth brought to the U.S. by their parents at an early age.
Living in the U.S. without immigration papers; Sometimes referred to as “undocumented.”
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Federal status granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Must meet qualifications and pay an application fee.
Provides employment authorization.
Key Message – there are financial resources, including state aid, for DREAMers. Familiarize with terminology.
Background on DREAMers:  Immigrants who meet these criteria are commonly referred to as “DREAMers” because they comprise most (though not all) of the individuals who meet the general requirements of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
Define our use of the word DREAMers for the audience.
Sometimes students (and thus those of us working with students) are not aware they are DREAMers until they apply for admission and financial aid.
High School educators are often the first stop an undocumented student makes when trying to find out college information and especially how they are going to pay for it. Research shows 70% of families and students say their first resource for financial aid information is the High School Counselor.
Oftentimes, the student might have just learned about their status and their counselor might have been one of the first people they shared this with. They may be confused about their future and wondering if all their hard work in high school was wasted effort.
While we may not have all the answers – at least if we can direct students to where to find answers that is a GREAT first step. Especially as educators in Washington State we want to make sure we understand the laws and resources for the state we work in.
DACA is a subset of DREAMers
Washington House Bill 1079
Passed in 2003 allowing in-state tuition for DREAMers who meet non-citizen residency requirements.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

13. State Financial Aid for DREAMers
As of 2014, State Need Grant funding was available to non-citizens who meet the residency requirements established in HB 1079:
Have a Washington high school diploma or a GED®
Be a Washington resident for three years prior to, and continuously since, earning the high school diploma or equivalent.
Sign a written promise to apply to become a permanent resident of the United States, when eligible.
As of 2015, State Need Grant and the College Bound Scholarship are available to students who have DACA status.
Must meet the same residency requirements as U.S. citizen (typically parents living in the state for one year prior to college).
Must provide DACA documentation.
Eligibility for College Bound Scholarship still restricted to those who successfully applied in 7th or 8th grade.
Key Points – DREAMers can be considered for some state aid programs. Not eligible for federal aid.
The Washington State legislature expanded the State Need Grant program to students with undocumented citizenship who meet the same criteria as necessary to meet in-state tuition requirements. (top three bullets).
The SNG/CBS DACA change was made due to federal guidance interpreted by the state Attorney General’s office. Not a legislative change.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

14. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Applying for State Aid
Each college determines financial aid eligibility based on awarding policies (State Need Grant awards may vary by college).
State funding is limited. Students should apply as early as possible after January 1.
Students who are eligible for federal student aid submit a FAFSA to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid.
Apply online at FAFSA.ed.gov
Students who are not eligible for federal student aid submit a WASFA to be considered for state and institutional aid.
Apply online at ReadySetGrad.org/WASFA
More than 2,500 students applied for WASFA funds in Students with DACA status are not eligible for federal aid – should file WASFA.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

15. Other State Aid Programs
State Work Study Employment
A public-private partnership providing employment and funding to eligible students.
4,396 students received $12.2 million in
Passport to College Promise Scholarship
Scholarship for foster youth.
379 students received $1.3 million in
Washington Opportunity Scholarship Program
A public-private program providing scholarships to students interested in STEM fields of study.
2,300 students received $8.8 million in
Administered by the College Success Foundation.
Information about all of these programs (and others) at Point out – Foster Youth – there are numerous financial aid opportunities for them.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

16. The Washington Student Achievement Council
College Access & Support
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

17. 12th Year Campaign
American College Application Campaign
October/November
College Goal Washington
January/February
FAFSA Completion Initiative
Combination of two national programs (College Goal Washington and the American College Application Campaign), aims to boost college and financial aid application rates in Washington. The Student Achievement Council administers. (Note: counselors may ask about new FAFSA timeline. Reiterate changes are for October 2016 for the school year. We will be in touch in the spring with adjusted 12th Year timelines for fall 2016.)
Goal is to link the college application and financial aid completion processes by providing high schools the tools to assist seniors with their applications.
12th Year Campaign Resources (Student workbooks, site coordinator handbooks, posters, postcards, lesson plan suggestions) are available to all (on RSG) but if you become an official campaign site you get support and facilitated connections with college admissions and financial aid staff, and school-specific survey results from the campaign. Webinar training on key topics in admissions and financial aid.
To become an official site, contact Anna Batie at or visit Bit.do/12thYearForm.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

18. FAFSA Completion Initiative
The FAFSA Completion Initiative allows participating districts access to individual students’ FAFSA completion status.
This data allows FAFSA completion intervention at the school level.
Background:
First Lady’s Reach Higher Initiative and FAFSA Completion Challenge.
Over 60% of districts have returned data usage agreements in first months to access the portal.
Publically available aggregate FAFSA filing data: bit.do/FAFSACompletionData.
Contact Sarah Weiss at
WSAC is the agency with the FAFSA data for financial aid purposes. The FAFSA Completion Initiative matches FAFSA completion data with the senior class roster for public high schools. This data is viewable via an online portal and will highlight if a student has completed the FAFSA, submitted but with errors, or has not yet filed. Districts may then provide target intervention services to increase the FAFSA filing rates. Before accessing the FAFSA Completion Portal, districts must sign and return a data usage agreement. If your district needs another agreement sent please contact Sarah Weiss.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

19. What it does: Who it helps: TheWashBoard.org
Offered $41.6 million in scholarships last year.
Matches scholarships to interests and goals.
Web-based; can be used in school, libraries, or at home and contains no ads or SPAM.
Is a free resource for Washington students or residents attending college outside of Washington.
Who it helps:
33% of scholarships require a GPA higher than 3.0.
62% of listings are not based on financial need.
81% do not require the FAFSA .
27% of scholarships listed are renewable.
Key message: hub for scholarships for WA students. Updated information in multiple languages on the thumb drives.
How does it work? Scholarship providers build a listing for each scholarship they want to offer, which provides all the necessary information for potential applicants. Between Sept 2014 and August 2015, there were almost 450 scholarships listed on theWashboard.org which was an increase over the previous year.
Students/scholarship seekers create an online profile, which is then compared to all available scholarships. A list of the seeker’s best scholarship matches is immediately displayed to them online.
The seeker creates an application for their matches after reading the details provided.
Seekers can apply for as many scholarships as they choose and can check their status via theWashBoard.org.
There are a variety of scholarships available (demonstrated by facts on slide).
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

20. The Washington Student Achievement Council
College Readiness
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

21. Smarter Balanced 11th Grade Assessments
Score 3 or 4:
Place directly into college-level courses; shorten time to degree; reduce costs.
Score 1 or 2:
Consider Bridge Courses to prepare for postsecondary options.
Students benefit from doing well on the 11th grade assessment.
As you know, achievement of the Common Core Standards is measured by assessments in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11.
Key takeaway: Doing well on the 11th grade assessment is good for students in several measurable ways! Through agreements with all public two- and four-year institutions in Washington and most private non-profit four-years, students who earn a level 3 or 4 score can skip pre-college or remedial coursework. At community and technical colleges, the same agreement applies to students who earn a level 2 score and pass a Bridge to College course with a B or better. HOWEVER – Bridge Courses are only available at a limited number of schools statewide. OSPI staff will provide more detail in this area.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

22. Minimum College Admissions Standards
English: Including 3 credits of college preparatory composition or literature.
4 credits
Mathematics: Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II (intermediate algebra), or Integrated Math I, II, and III.(Pre-calculus level meets 3 credits plus senior year req.). Must include Senior Year Math-Based Quantitative Course (may be met through completion of higher level math prior to senior year or AP Computer Science).
Social Science: History or other social science.
3 credits
Science: Laboratory science.
World Languages: Must be earned in the same World Language, Native American language, or American Sign Language
2 credits
Arts: Fine, visual, or performing arts, or one additional credit in other CADR academic subject.
1 credit
Minimums set by WSAC for four-year public institutions—no change from last year. Standards above this will vary by institution.
CADRs: College Academic Distribution Requirements (high school courses)
2.0 Minimum Grade Point Average
Official SAT/ACT scores sent directly to the college or university.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

23. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Updates on Dual Credit
2015 legislative changes to dual credit:
Establishes distinction between College in the High School and Running Start programs (no more RS in the High School model).
Allows access to existing OSPI grant funds for textbooks, fees, and transportation to support Running Start students.
Expands College in the High School to 10th grade students.
College in the High School may include both academic and Career and Technical Education courses.
Establishes state funding prioritization for rural and small schools, and students who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch.
WSAC priority of streamlining and expanding dual-credit.
For year, ONLY, schools which offered Running Start in the High School in previous years have priority funding. Beginning with , priorities will be rural schools, small schools, and low-income schools. OSPI staff will provide information on how this is being implemented.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

24. Dual Credit Look-up Tool
Students enter:
Test Type (i.e. AP or IB)
Exam taken (e.g. Chemistry, Spanish)
Score earned (3, 4, 5)
College or university they plan to attend (select up to 5)
The dual credit look-up tool will tell them, based upon the institution’s posted policy:
How many credits they will receive.
In what discipline area they will receive them.
This tool will be updated at least annually.
readysetgrad.org/rsg_cred_wiz/form
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

25. We inspire and foster excellence in educational attainment.
ReadySetGrad.org
Financial Aid
FAFSA or WASFA, college access, student support initiatives
College Readiness
Smarter Balanced, Bridge Courses, Dual Credit, MCAS
Vision:
We inspire and foster excellence in educational attainment.
This is what we discussed today. Key points: WSAC vision. We do this through financial aid and college readiness. All information available on Readysetgrad.org.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

26. The Washington Student Achievement Council
Pave the Way
Conference for ALL educators – stress invitation to K-12.
Registration now open. $95 if before 9/25, $125 after.
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The Washington Student Achievement Council

27. Continue the Conversation
Online:
On Twitter:
@WSACouncil
@Ready_Set_Grad
On Facebook:
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The Washington Student Achievement Council