Financial aid verification adds an extra step for students applying for college, a routine process that comes around again each year. For college success advisors, this is familiar territory, but the process is anything but routine for our students. We shouldn’t forget what an unnerving experience it can be for students who may perceive verification […]
College success advising is both an art and a science. The most effective advisors bridge technical expertise, from degree planning to financial aid verification, with the interpretation, empathy, and heart that make it possible for them to connect with students. It takes a certain kind of person to do this work well, but the blending […]
College students have been pushed to their limits over the past year and the pandemic has demonstrated their determination and resourcefulness like never before. This is true both in the ways they persevered through new challenges, but also in the ways they no longer could, as longstanding workarounds and fragile support systems were put to […]
For millions of students each year, college can seem out of reach before completing one important step — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It may seem unceremonious, but this application can unlock grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and federal student loans, all helping to cover the cost of a college education. As an […]
Adjusting to life in the era of COVID-19 has been challenging for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for students from low-income backgrounds and those already at risk of not completing their college degrees. Almost immediately, the pandemic upended these students’ entire lives. As campuses closed, many found themselves without housing — some hundreds of miles […]
From campus closures to virtual learning, to the emotional toll of these uncertain times, it would be difficult to overstate the impact of COVID-19 on our college students. There was certainly no playbook for those supporting students through these unprecedented circumstances, but we’ve been inspired to see so many organizations rise to the challenge to […]
We often hear inspiring stories about disadvantaged students who overcame all the odds to graduate from college and embark on a successful career. They lift up their families, their siblings who follow in their footsteps, their communities that begin building pathways out of poverty. A college degree can create a lifetime of new opportunity for […]
While every student has their own college experience, many are navigating common challenges along the way. This resource will help advisors identify key events and potential risk factors at a glance. It offers a quick preview of coming months that will help keep recurring activities top of mind. For college success advisors, these major events […]
Heading into fall, we’re often focused on our first-time college students and helping them lay the foundation for success. No doubt, this support is critical – but many returning students also need help to keep on track towards college graduation. Here are five different types of returning college students who might need this additional support. […]