College Uncensored: Honest Answers from Real College Students

From the Huffington Post: 

High school juniors and seniors: We hear you. Over the past few months, you've been overloaded with unsolicited college advice from parents, teachers, counselors, relatives and guidebooks. We've partnered with unigo.com, a resource for thousands of undergrads, to field all your real questions about university life and give you responses that are honest, unfiltered and totally up-to-date.

Students from colleges and universities around the country answer questions about drinking/partying, what students actually wear to class, and how much they changed during their first year of college. If you've been working with youth who want to hear the "real" deal from students who are on campus and in classrooms, this may be one way to offer them the opportunity.

Find links to the short videos on the Huffington Post.

In the News: Student Loan Rate Hike: Is it Really That Big of a Deal?

College counselor and commenter Lynn O'Shaugnessy's take on the impending increase in student loan rates (to 6.8%) is pretty much opposite that of the mainstream media. She points out important facts like

• the 3.4% interest rate on current education loans is the lowest in years - and just 5 years ago, the rate was 6.8%
• existing rates are locked in for students with subsidized loans, so 
• only 3% of student debt will be impacted by the rate increases

None of this is to say that the issues aren't real. Affordability continues to be a primary factor in a student's access to higher education. But O'Shaugnessy urges us to consider what's really important - and what's been largely missing from the media discussion:

So what financial aid issue is far more important than this rate hike snafu? An [sic] critical issue is the fate of the Pell Grant, the federal lifeline for poor and middle-income students, which has been political football for years. There wasn't a huge outcry when Congress made it much more difficult for poor Americans to qualify for the full Pell Grant of $5,550. During the past academic year, families that made $32,000 or less automatically qualified for the maximum Pell Grant, but for the coming year families must make no more than $23,000.

 Read her whole article on CBS' MoneyWatch blog.

Porgram Spotlight: Oregon Student Access Commission

The Oregon College Access Challenge Grant provides schools, districts, colleges, universities, community-based non-profit organizations, and one state agency opportunities to serve youth in their college-going dreams. Today's blog post features the Oregon Student Access Commission's mentoring program:
Access to Student assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone (ASPIRE).

 

Preliminary studies show that high quality mentoring has the potential to be a successful intervention strategy to address risk among youth and to promote positive behaviors and attitudes. Researchers have suggested that close, consistent, and enduring mentoring relationships are likely to have positive benefits. A strong connection characterized by mutuality, trust, and empathy that spans a significant time period, and is focused on the young person’s interests and preferences is likely to make an impact. (Download a brief article outlining the research here.)

One to one volunteer mentoring is the foundation of the ASPIRE program. With CACG funding in 2010-2011, 32 new sites joined ASPIRE. These 32 new CACG ASPIRE sites in 2011-2012 have matched over 1,706 students with mentors and 1,099 of these students were this year's graduating seniors.

For the first time community based organizations (CBOs), participated in the ASPIRE statewide mentoring program focused on creating a college going culture for Oregonian youth. These CBOs provide opportunities to youth year round. This year through CACG funds, six CBO ASPIRE sites in the Portland region are serving students growing up in neighborhoods facing academic and life challenges. Joining this pilot ASPIRE CBO coalition are: The Black United Fund, Catholic Social Charities' El Programa Hispano, Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Outside In, Step It Up, and The Inn. Through mentoring relationships these CBOs give students information and access to postsecondary educational options. They are sharing resources, trainings, and programs with other each. This summer through Future Connect, an educational initiative in Portland Mayor Sam Adam’s office whose goal is to increase access to post-secondary education and increase the likelihood of  students completing post-secondary education, Future Connect AmeriCorps/Vista volunteers are recruiting mentors for ASPIRE CBOs.

To learn more the six CBO coalition members and ASPIRE, visit their websites:

• Access to Student assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone
• The Black United Fund
• Catholic Social Charities' El Programa Hispano 
• Native American Youth And Family Center
• Outside In 
• Step It Up 
• The Inn Home
• Future Connect

Is That School Accredited?

Several of you have asked how to know whether or not a for-profit (or non-profit, for that matter) college is accredited - or if the accrediting agency is reputable. It can sometimes be difficult to find the information on a college's website, and that's often frustrating.

The federal government doesn't do the accrediting, but the U.S. Department of Education is required to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that are deemed "reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit." And they provide a database of all institutions in the country that have been accredited by those agencies.

If you are wondering whether a college is accredited by a reputable agency or not, and if you're having trouble finding that information on their website, head on over to the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

In the News: 5% of Career Training Programs Risk Losing Access to Federal Funds

"Today, the Obama Administration took another step in its ongoing effort to improve transparency, lower college costs, and enhance value for students, by releasing new data on career training programs.

"The new data, which covers career training programs at public, for-profit and non-profit schools, show that five percent of them—all located at for-profit colleges—do not meet any of three key requirements of the Department's Gainful Employment regulation. Eventually, these for-profit programs could lose access to federal student aid if they cannot improve performance."

Read more about the new regulations, set to take effect in the fall of 2012, on the Department of Education's website. Then come back and use the comments section to share your thoughts about how this might impact the youth with whom you work.

In the News: 3 Out of 4 Americans Call Higher Education a Right

"According to the Carnegie poll of 1,000 Americans, three out of four Americans (76 percent) believe access to higher education should be a right with nearly half (46 percent) of Americans responding that they feel this way strongly."

Read more about the poll and find other interesting statistics from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

In the News: 7 Things Graduating Seniors Should Know About College

"Here are some things that incoming students should know about college:

You Have Control Over Your Courses

"You do not have to confine yourself to a set of preselected courses that are designed to help incoming students fulfill general education requirements. As you select your courses, be sure that each one is on the right level for you (in some cases, one can substitute higher level courses for more basic ones). Once you’ve picked your program, you should attend each of the classes and decide whether the professor is someone from whom you can really learn. Often, there are many instructors teaching the same course, and using the drop/add process, you may be able to get a much better teacher"

Go to The Choice blog to read more great tips for students headed off to college in the fall. After reading the brief posting, peruse the comments -- your list of things to talk with students about will grow to longer than the original seven.

2011-2012 PayScale College Salary Report

With all the talk about college graduates being able (or not) to find jobs that pay liveable wages, we've seen a rise in the number of resources available to help students and families research colleges and universities with respect to that issue. Among the latest of these resources is the PayScale College Salary Report.

The website offers users the ability to compare average starting and median salaries at a wide range of colleges and universities in the country. It also provides several charts showing salaries by major, degree type, etc. One example of such a chart follows:

Best Western US Colleges By Salary Potential (Excluding California)

Methodology Annual pay for Bachelors graduates without higher degrees. Typical starting graduates have 2 years of experience; mid-career have 15 years. See full methodology for more.

Explore the site and then use the comments section to share your thoughts about the usefulness of this type of data.

In the News: Good Luck Graduating in Four Years!

The College Solution blog recently offered a statistical smorgasbord of national data related to college graduation rates.

They start by sharing what author Lynn O'Shaughnessy calls a "scary" college statistic:
"According to the  federal government, only 36.4% of full-time students graduate from college in four years."

And then they go on to share a number of other interesting facts and figures about who does and doesn't graduate from U.S. colleges and universities in four years (as the term "four-year degree" implies is standard) and in six years (as is the standard measure for graduation rates at BA/BS-awarding institutions).


But if you're like me and you want to delve into the numbers a bit more or get friendly with Oregon-specific statistics, you'll want to spend some time on the website for the Chronicle of Higher Education's College Completion project.


Investigate the facts and figures yourself at College Solution Blog or the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Scholarships for Overseas Study

I've just learned about an exciting resource for low-income college students who wish to study abroad - while the students you currently work with may not yet be eligible, I suspect some of you know students who've graduated from your program and would love to access this opportunity.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship awards more than 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 each - specifically for students who are studying overseas in an approved, credit-bearing study abroad program. If you know students who have an itch to travel but have given up on the thought for fear of the cost, please encourage them to check this out!

Student Voices

Several weeks ago, a few of our partner organizations provided their youth with an opportunity to share their thoughts about what the CACG project has meant to them. Many of their postcards went directly to congressional representatives, but a few made their way to the CACG offices before moving on.

The front of the postcards visualize the first period reporting goals of all CACG-funded projects

 In their own words, students share how college access programs have changed their thoughts, their dreams, and -perhaps- even their lives:

Video Series: College Talk - Courses and Credits

Oregon's CACG and GEAR UP staff are collaborating on a series of short videos we're calling "College Talk." The idea behind the series was sparked by a previous blog post about college jargon and how difficult it can be -especially for first generation college students- to learn the "language" of college. We hope these videos will help.


You can watch the third video about courses and credits here or on the CACG YouTube page.



Please feel free to share the videos in this series with students, colleagues, or others you think might benefit. (And then let us know how you've helped get the word out!)

We'd really like to hear what you think - and, even more, we'd love to hear what your students think. Please share comments below or send an email to Adrienne and/or Dana with your thoughts.

And don't forget to check out the first and second videos in the series!

Program Spotlight: Camp Fire Columbia

The Oregon College Access Challenge Grant provides schools, districts, colleges, universities, and community-based non-profit organizations opportunities to serve youth in their college-going dreams. Today's blog post features a currently-funded community based organization.

For many youth, discovering how their passions can become a career field is a daunting task. Camp Fire’s High School Program has become a core partner of local high schools by offering in-school mentoring and career/college exploration activities to help youth find their path. With the help of Camp Fire staff, youth identify their values and “sparks” (or passions), construct and pursue individual goal plans, and develop defined steps toward high school graduation. 

“Before this class I had no clue what I wanted to be in life. But now I know what I want to do with my life and I know how I can and how I want to accomplish my goals,” said one student at Fir Ridge Campus, David Douglas School District’s alternative high school.

A key focus of the program is to turn the world into a classroom through hands-on learning in the community. This summer, 20 teens from the High School Program will participate in internships in career fields of their choice. Students will be working hands-on in areas such as education, photography, medicine, and culinary arts. Youth will shadow a professional and learn first-hand what the career requires. The internship program is made possible through a College Access Challenge Grant from the Oregon University System.

“It’s hard for young adults to get that first bit of experience under their belt,” said Mae Wilson, Program Director. “These internships can be a real stepping stone for youth. They’ll absorb invaluable insights and first-hand tutelage about what the career is all about and the steps they need to take to make it.”

Take a look at the video and see how the High School Program’s unique approach to youth development is making an impact on local students and schools: 

This article and video also appear on Camp Fire Columbia's own website.

Program Spotlight: College Dreams

The Oregon College Access Challenge Grant provides schools, districts, colleges, universities, and community-based non-profit organizations opportunities to serve youth in their college-going dreams. Today's blog post features a currently-funded community based organization.

College Dreams partnered with Grants Pass School District, Three Rivers School District, Eagle Point School District, Glendale School District, and Phoenix Talent School District to screen the academic records of 2,835 sixth grade and seventh grade students for good college potential (i.e. >=35^th percentile OAKS test scores) and multiple research-based dropout risk factors (e.g. low income, minority, high absence rate, single parent, homeless, foster care). The target population for College Bound was 90 low income 6^th and 7^th grade students who met the academic potential criterion and who have an average of 3 or more school dropout risk factors. Our first project component included Academic Motivational Interviews (AMI) and orientation meetings with 93 eligible students who were rated “highest priority” by school administrators and staff.   The second project component includes meetings with students and parents to discuss college awareness and preparation materials, relate student interests to college opportunities, enhance motivation for academic excellence and college, and coach students on college preparation benchmarks. The third project component provides college preparation and access opportunities to: (1) develop participant resumes; (2) facilitate community service and career exploration; (3) visit college and community college campuses; (4) meet with Dreamer alumni who attend or have graduated from Oregon universities and community colleges; and (5) attend higher education pre-college youth programs. This component is designed to establish a college-going peer culture, build high expectations, encourage rigorous academic classes, and substantially reduce the severe academic deterioration of high risk students during middle school.

In the News: What Obama's Move to Not Deport Young Undocumented Immigrants Does, Doesn't Do

Last week, President Obama announced a directive order of the Department of Homeland Security. The directive provides for "deferred action" for young, undocumented immigrants who are considered "low enforcement priorities." The official DHS website includes an FAQ page for those who have questions about the new directive.

According to Southern California Public Radio,

The process, which has yet to begin and affects 800,000 undocumented youth, will be somewhat complicated — potential beneficiaries, who among other things must have a clean record, have arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and be no older than 30, must apply to be considered. If they meet the criteria, they will then be able to apply for a work permit "provided they can demonstrate an economic necessity for their employment."

Beyond that, it's wide open. The DHS website states that the directive "does not provide an individual with permanent lawful status or a pathway to obtaining permanent lawful status" and that this can only be accomplished through an act of Congress.

In the News: Undocumented Students Face Challenges in Higher Education

News and special interest stories about undocumented students continue to be a focus of higher education reporting. Last week, Oregon Public Broadcasting sat down with a group of three undocumented students at Portland Community College. You can listen to their interview - and learn a bit about the history of Oregon's tuition equity bill on OPB.

Listen to the story and/or read the transcript on OPB.

In the News: Teachers Open Up On Why Kids Really Drop Out

From NPR:

Listen to the story via the player above or read the transcripts at NPR.org. Then share your thoughts - why do students you know or work with drop out of school? What does your organization do to help bring them back into education. What more can our communities do to help?

Topical Discussion Follow-up: Undocumented Immigrants

Last Friday, Oregon CACG hosted its third Topical Discussion, a conversation with family immigration attorney John Almaguer, centered on the realities of serving youth who are undocumented. John shared helpful definitions - citizenship, residency (both temporary and permanent), among others; provided information about the ways in which someone might achieve citizenship; and offered reminders of those things about which undocumented youth must be even more vigilant than their citizen peers (brushes with the law are much more difficult to navigate and can have longer lasting impacts, for example).

Following the discussion, Evelyn (at CACG Partner Organization Catholic Charities' El Programa Hispano) offered the group information about their immigration services. You can learn more on their website. If you know families in the Portland area who might be in need of legal services or who simply have general questions, consider encouraging them to attend one of Catholic Charities' "Immigration Charlas." Offered in Spanish, these free presentations are offered by an experienced and knowledgeable legal representative. Currently scheduled sessions include:

July 3, 2012 at 5:30pm                                                               August 7, 2012 at 5:30pm
at El Program Hispano                             and                              at Catholic Charities
138 NE 3rd St., Suite 140                                                           2740 SE Powell Blvd
Gresham, OR 97030                                                                   Portland, OR 97202

It may come as no surprise that the topic continues to find its way into mainstream media, and this week's issue of Time magazine addresses it as their featured cover story:

At the helm of this article is award-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who very publicly outed himself as undocumented immigrant last year, writing a poignant piece about his experiences for the New York Times.

Please use the comments section to share any news or resources you've found that have assisted you in understanding the issue and/or serving youth.

Program Spotlight: Incight

The Oregon College Access Challenge Grant provides schools, districts, colleges, universities, and community-based non-profit organizations opportunities to serve youth in their college-going dreams. Today's blog post features a currently-funded community based organization.

Incight is a Portland, Oregon based non-profit whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to become contributing members of society.  This is achieved by leading individuals through several dynamic programs focused in the areas of Education, Employment, Networking and Independence.

Within the Education wing, Incight created the S.T.A.R.T. Program (Students Transitioning And Realizing Talent), which addresses the post secondary preparation and transitional needs for high school students with disabilities. S.T.A.R.T. Program focuses on access.  Access to resources.  Access to experiences.  Access to post secondary education.  Access to success.

The program has been creating podcasts, videos, and events to prepare these students for a successful transition into college.  One such event is a college campus visit. 

Program Spotlight: Central Oregon Community College

 

The Oregon College Access Challenge Grant provides schools, districts, colleges, universities, and community-based non-profit organizations opportunities to serve youth in their college-going dreams. Today's blog post features a currently-funded community college.

 

Thanks to CACG, this was the first year Native American High School students could join the Oregon Leadership Institute, which previously focused only on Latino/a high school students. 

The students participated in classes one Saturday per month engaged in topics related to college and career goal-setting, personal responsibility, presentation and leadership skills, heritage appreciation, and cultural awareness.  We were excited to have Native American students join this program and as you can see from the following comments, they were excited as well.

Kirsten Holliday from Warm Springs Reservation,
participates in a day of fun and learning at the COCC Madras Campus

“The most valuable aspects of this program is that joining this course made me feel more confident about myself and got me out of my comfort zone.”

“The most valuable aspects…is the way we interact with everyone and everyone’s opinion is respected and taken in consideration.”

“I learned how to work with other and make new friends.”

Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students

Just in time for our third Topical Discussion, the College Board has published a new resource for undocumented students. The Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students lists websites and publications by state. While Oregon is missing from the list of states for which resources are available, some of the information contained in other states' sections may very well prove useful for our students and those working with them.

Learn more about the new publication at The Chronicle of Higher Education.