NCAN members across the country continue to go the extra mile by offering guidance and resources to students as they navigate the myriad disruptions to their educations and their lives caused by COVID-19. The volume and innovative nature of the support our members are providing is inspiring, and we at NCAN want to continue to elevate our members' tremendous work.
For starters, advisers with uAspire got in touch with 12,304 students (as of March 27) to offer support, primarily over text, in Massachusetts, New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
We hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. We wanted to provide an update on our continuing effort to mitigate the impacts of the #coronavirus crisis on students by providing vital support and #financialaid information via our virtual advising https://t.co/3nV9QFzk2Fpic.twitter.com/K2lgsk22hX
Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars (California) is another organization using text messaging as a way to maintain contact with its students as they continue finalizing their postsecondary plans for the fall.
Hey, Class of 2020! Worried about staying on top of summertime college deadlines? Wish you had a virtual advisor to help keep you on track? Sign up to receive reminder texts & stay connected with us as you plan for Fall term! DM us with any questions! https://t.co/YkQE7SJx1Cpic.twitter.com/REhYebqmXL
Members are finding ways to have a bit of fun, too. Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) (New York) hosted a virtual spirit week to give its scholars (and staff) an opportunity to show their school pride.
My colleagues & I at @LEDA_Scholars are working hard to virtually support our community. We’re hosting a #LEDAspiritweek so I’m repping @TAMU to show my school spirit. Participation is not happening via twitter, but I hope other orgs can find similar ways to support students! pic.twitter.com/8Zg1H2TAaO
A number of NCAN member organizations have quickly built new webpages containing important information to help keep their students on track. For example, Detroit College Access Network created an admissions updates page with details on deadline changes, virtual advising appointments, and more for higher education institutions in Michigan.
— Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) (@Detroit_CAN) April 3, 2020
Members have also been putting together videos and hosting webinars as additional ways to answer common questions from students, despite not being able to meet with them in person. A few examples: Academic Success Program (Texas) held a webinar for students on how to decode financial aid offers; and CollegeCommunityCareer (Texas) organized a webinar for its high school juniors on how to create an Apply Texas account. Additionally, Texas OnCourse is hosting an open discussion for college counselors on best practices for supporting students during COVID-19 (you can register here).
You can find additional FAFSA completion videos in our COVID-19 resource roundup. FAFSA-focused resources are more important than ever, as we're already seeing year-over-year declines in the percentage of high school seniors who've filed this crucial financial aid form.
We know that not all students had ready access to reliable high-speed internet after schools and campuses across the country shut down, but NCAN members are working to address that challenge too. For example, Tennessee College Access and Success Network has partnered with the Motlow State Community College Foundation and the Nashville State Community College Foundation to ship WiFi hotspots to students in the state to get them online.
Motlow State Community College Foundation and TN College Access and Success Network (@TCASN) are now partnering to bring hotspot devices to Motlow students in need of WiFi access. Proud to be partnering with them!#Covid19@NCANetworkpic.twitter.com/eMJ8xG0nej
We know this is just the tip of iceberg in terms of our members' efforts to be #Here4Students during this turbulent time. How is your organization supporting students? Let us know by completing this brief Google form or on social media by using the hashtag #Here4Students.
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