NCAN urges community-based college access and success organizations (CBOs) to do everything possible to help class of 2021 high school seniors during this critical spring and summer period with transitioning to college.
To encourage and support CBO leaders, NCAN has developed a new “FINISH Strong” guide that spotlights promising practices developed
by a variety of CBOs across the country. All of the featured groups are using creative strategies now to help increase postsecondary enrollment for the class of 2021.
CBOs are at the very core of NCAN’s work and are fundamental elements of the communities they serve. Thousands of young people across the nation rely on local college and career readiness programs to prepare them for postsecondary pathways, and they often
credit these outstanding programs and engaged staff members as critical components to earning a college degree.
It is vital that CBO leaders understand the urgency in strengthening efforts now. We can learn from the unfortunate enrollment decrease recorded for the class of 2020 and make our best efforts to step up for students in 2021 to prevent even further erosion of college-going rates.
The “FINISH Strong” guide is a compilation of NCAN resources to help inform and aid CBOs as they reach out to encourage students to complete the enrollment process and attend college in the fall. NCAN has divided the guide into six practice areas:
F: FAFSA completion effort.
I: Innovate using technology.
N: National Student Clearinghouse data as a tool.
I: Involve parents and peers.
S: Strategies to decrease summer melt.
H: Hope and help to connect to resources.
Each section of the guide includes program examples provided by a variety of inventive and resourceful NCAN member organizations.
We recognize that it is a challenge for CBOs to energize new efforts and program delivery at this time of the year. But, as with every pivot made during the COVID-19 era, this is one more to consider as a crucial step to take. We encourage member organizations
to redouble attempts to reach out to, advise, and counsel high school seniors who aspire to attend college in the fall to ensure their enrollment.
Start thinking now about what practices your organization can expand, modify, or enhance to make sure that the young people in your community will enroll in a postsecondary institution. We hope this guide will provide some useful ideas and tools as you
support students to reach their goals.
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