1. The Illinois Student Assistance Corps
An ISAC College Access Initiative

2. Goal: Increase the number of students from the lowest income quintiles completing high school, enrolling in college, and COMPLETING a postsecondary program
A Ground & Marketing Campaign to increase student awareness about college planning and options after high school
All Access Illinois

3. The Corps 39 Community College districts 59 “Near Peer” Mentors
1 or 2 in Each Community College District
Class of 2009 Graduates
From a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences
The Corps

4. The Corps Funded by US Department of Education Challenge Grant
2 year program
Corps is especially relevant today
The Corps

5. 37 Community College Districts
6 District Regions:
-Inner Suburbs
-Outer Suburbs
-Western Illinois
-Central Illinois
-Eastern Illinois
-Southern Illinois

6. The Job Promote College Planning & Preparation
Focus on the lowest income and first generation families
Focus on 9th – 12th Grade Students
Work with students, teachers, counselors, CBOs
Organize outreach events
Offer career exploration, test prep, application assistance, FAFSA workshops, college-matching guidance
The Job

7. The Training June – August 2009 Full-Time Residential Training
Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights
Extensive Guest Faculty
University of California, Berkeley
Women Employed
Oakton Community College
University of Illinois, Chicago
IACAC
The Training

8. The Training Topics Include: College Access Marketing;
Career Counseling;
FAFSA Line-by-Line Completion;
Financial Aid 101;
Community Organizing;
Project Management;
Event Planning;
College Access Barriers
The Training

9. Services Offered Financial Aid process presentations
FAFSA line-by-line completion workshops
One-on-one student counseling
Career exploration counseling
Finding the right fit for college
Whatsnextillinois.org system exploration
Anything else that is needed!
Services Offered

10. The Corps So Far Fieldwork since August 2009
Reaching our target audience
College Goal Sunday
College fairs
One-on-one counseling with students
Whatsnextillinois.org
Community organizations, schools,
The Corps So Far

11. Case Study: Waubonsee CC District
Priority high school: East Aurora High
Breakdown: 2,717 students; 998 freshman, 431 seniors
82% FARM eligible
Efforts at East
Working with students one on one
Early awareness
Case Study: Waubonsee CC District

12. Case Study: Waubonsee CC District
Over 15 FAFSA completion events at virtually every high school in district
Assisted over 300 families in the Aurora area complete the FAFSA who may not have otherwise
Early awareness campaigns with high schools, community organizations
Priority on one on one relationship building with target students
Relationship building with teachers, counselors, community activists
Case Study: Waubonsee CC District

13. About Us We are here to help students
How can we target first generation and low-income students?
Think: if the sky was the limit, what other programs would be offered?
We can help!
About Us

14. ISACorps- Waubonsee Community College
Laura Armgardt (630)
ISACorps- Waubonsee Community College