The CSF Scholars Program Overview

The CSF Scholars Program Overview Beginning with the Class of 2011 the CSF Scholars Program will be available to low-income students in 7 CSF High Schools (formerly Achievers High Schools).The impetus and goals of the CSF Scholars Program remain the same as the Achievers Program and will continue in five of the 16 current Achievers High Schools and two new schools in the Tacoma school district have been added. Continuing schools include A.C. Davis High School, Yakima and Cleveland High School, Seattle. In addition, we will now have programs in all five of the comprehensive high schools in Tacoma Public Schools. Current Achievers High Schools, Henry Foss, Lincoln and Mount Tahoma will continue their programming and Stadium and Wilson have now been staffed to provide programming as well. The Program has three primary goals: to identify and reduce financial barriers to college for talented, low-income students who have overcome difficult circumstances and who are motivated to attend college to provide mentoring to ensure academic support is available to students once they are enrolled in college to develop a diverse cadre of college-educated citizens and leaders in Washington state What will the CSF Scholars Program offer? In the original Achievers Scholarship Program we were able to combine scholarship support, mentoring, academic readiness support and general college preparation to students. While our programming moving forward does not have a specific scholarship connected to it we will continue to offer what the Achievers Program was founded upon: the belief that good advice and support are as important as financial assistance. Program components will include the Hometown Mentor Program and Academic & College Planning support (e.g. summer programming, AccuPlacer assessment, monthly meetings, scholarship search support, college application/financial aid workshops, college visitation and high school to college transition support.) HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 12

Target Population One of the program goals is to develop a diverse cadre of college-educated citizens and leaders in Washington State. To this end, the College Success Foundation selects those students who historically have faced barriers to higher education. Many low-income students also lack advocates and support persons who actively encourage and guide them towards choosing college as a realistic, post-high school goal. They often face many other challenges outside of the high school environment such as, difficult home lives, the necessity to hold a job and contribute to the family income, care-taking/raising responsibilities of siblings or English as a second language. Still, the students have demonstrated desire and potential to further their education and earn a college degree. Many of the CSF Scholars are the first in their family to attend college. People who grew up in difficult circumstances and yet are successful have one thing in common. at a critical junction in their early adolescence they had a positive relationship with a caring adult. -- Former President, Bill Clinton HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 13

Colleges and University Partners The College Success Foundation, in fulfillment of its mission to assist highly motivated lowincome students to attend the colleges and universities of their choice and to graduate with bachelor s degrees, forms partnerships with those colleges and universities wishing to participate in the CSF Scholars program. To qualify as a partner, a school must agree to: Monitor student s curriculum and academic progress to insure the student is on track to complete a baccalaureate degree Provide students with academic support services as needed Provide monthly mentor support to the student, at minimum, through their sophomore year Following is a list of 58 Washington colleges and universities that have agreed to be partners in the CSF programs: Public and Independent Colleges and Universities Antioch University-Seattle, Seattle Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle Bastyr University, Kenmore Central Washington University, Ellensburg Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle Eastern Washington University, Cheney Evergreen State College, Olympia Gonzaga University, Spokane Heritage University, Toppenish Northwest University, Kirkland Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Puget Sound Christian College, Edmonds Saint Martin s University, Lacey Seattle Pacific University, Seattle Seattle University, Seattle University of Puget Sound, Tacoma University of Washington, Bothell University of Washington, Seattle University of Washington, Tacoma Walla Walla University, College Place Washington State University, Pullman Washington State University, Tri-Cities Washington State University, Vancouver Western Washington University, Bellingham Whitman College, Walla Walla Whitworth University, Spokane Two-Year Public Community Colleges Bellevue Community College, Bellevue Peninsula College, Port Angeles Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake Pierce College, Lakewood Cascadia Community College, Bothell Seattle Central Community College, Seattle Centralia Community College, Centralia Shoreline Community College, Seattle Clark College, Vancouver Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon Columbia Basin College, Pasco South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood South Seattle Community College, Seattle Everett Community College, Everett Spokane Community College, Spokane Grays Harbor College, Aberdeen Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane Green River Community College, Auburn Tacoma Community College, Tacoma Highline Community College, Des Moines Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla Lower Columbia Community College, Longview Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee North Seattle Community College, Seattle Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Olympic College, Bremerton Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 14

Two-Year Public Technical Colleges Bates Technical College, Tacoma only eligible for students in select programs that are transferable to The Evergreen State College Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood only eligible for students planning to transfer to Evergreen State College after completing one of fourteen approved associates degree programs, and students in the computer information technology program planning to transfer to the University of Washington - Tacoma Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland only eligible for students in an AAS degree program planning to transfer to Seattle Pacific University Renton Technical College, Renton only eligible for students in the AAS in Surveying Engineering program planning to transfer to Oregon Institute of Technology CSF Scholars Program Selection Process The goal of the CSF Scholars selection process is to identify low-income students who have the potential and commitment to ultimately earn bachelor s degrees. The selection process is unique in that student potential is not solely measured by traditional indicators of grade point average and test scores, but through evidence of non-cognitive variables which researchers believe reflect other intelligences and capabilities that are important to earning college degrees. The selection process is as follows: Financial eligibility review students who fall under maximum income and asset levels advance. Review and scoring of written materials by volunteer panel of educators: student essays, two recommendations and student transcript (to verify statements in written materials). Approximately 50 applicants at each high school are named as CSF Scholars each year. HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 15

CSF Scholars Program Expectations High School Class of 2011 The College Success Foundation designed the CSF Scholars Program Expectations to provide a framework of positive actions that will assist you to make the most of the opportunity provided by the program. We want you to keep the goal of earning a college degree up front as you make life decisions. This will require certain sacrifices on your part and that of your family in terms of hard work and putting school before other activities, but the long-term benefit will be worth it! The Foundation depends on many partners to make the CSF Scholars Program successful, the two most important being the staff at your high school and at the college you will attend. Because we cannot be with you in person everyday, the teachers and staff at your high school often have a better sense of how you are progressing towards your goals. If you are not meeting the following expectations and your behavior poses a threat to you graduating from high school on time and/or reaching the goal of earning a college degree, your College Prep Advisor or high school principal can petition the Foundation to review your eligibility for program affiliation. You will always be given the opportunity to explain the situation from your point of view in any eligibility review. The College Success Foundation also has expectations of itself in helping you to reach the goal of attaining a college degree. Our primary roles are to provide you support and information for timely college planning; to help you access resources on your chosen college campus that will help you to stay enrolled; and to provide guidance to help identify the financial support necessary to fund your college experience. We pledge to provide you timely and courteous service; to listen to any concerns you have; to connect you with the person who can help with school challenges or to information you need; and to respect you as a unique individual. Because of the College Success Foundation s commitment to help you earn a college degree, if your academic assessments indicate you would benefit from additional assistance, you may be required to enroll in summer school courses or special academic programs, focused on helping you become college ready and more able to successfully compete on a college campus. In some instances we will recommend that you enroll in a specific college where additional academic support is available. Failure to follow the prescribed college readiness plan or enroll in a recommended college will result in a review of your CSF Scholars Program eligibility. Expectations While You Are a CSF Scholar in High School Academic Performance Work hard and do your best inside the classroom and on homework assignments. You should not receive failing grades in ANY class. During your senior year carry a full load of core and college preparatory classes including math and English courses. Be punctual to class and attend consistently. Graduate with your class from your CSF High School in spring 2011. Citizenship Obey the rules and laws of your school, the state and our country. Suspension or expulsion will result in a review of your continued program eligibility. Respect others. Carry yourself proudly and remember that you are a representative of the College Success Foundation, your high school, and your community. Your behavior positive as well as negative reflects on everyone associated with the CSF Scholars Program. Communication and Interaction with the College Success Foundation Participate in a 3 day, 2 night summer experience in June 2010. Participate in all CSF Scholars Program meetings called by your College Preparatory Advisor and/or by Foundation headquarters staff -- both meetings during the school day and evening workshops regarding admissions, financial aid, CSF Scholars Program activities, and other topics. Complete and submit a program completion form by June 1 of your senior year. Contact your College Preparatory Advisor when you have questions or if there is a change in your status with the program. Be sure to promptly update your mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and/or living situation details if and when changes occur. HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 16

College Planning Take the Accuplacer Test (college placement assessment) when requested. CSF will use the results to help you plan high school coursework. Based on your Accuplacer results and a transcript review, you may also be required to enroll in summer school courses or special academic programs focused on helping you become college ready and more able to successfully compete on a college campus. Take the SAT and/or ACT by the end of your junior year retake as necessary in the fall of your senior year. Research and use college planning resources available at your high school, including developing and maintaining a relationship with your high school s career and counseling center. Meet with your high school counselor by the end of your junior year and at least once per semester during your senior year to confirm your progress towards graduation and to check core requirements for college admission. Take the opportunity to learn about college options when college representatives visit your high school. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and February 15, 2010. (Filing the FAFSA after this date may reduce the amount of financial aid available to you.) Apply for admissions between December 1 and February 15. CSF Scholars are required to apply to a Washington college or university, make a decision, and notify both the College Success Foundation and the college you plan to enroll in by the National Candidates Reply Date of May 1. Begin college in the fall of 2011. Participate fully in college orientation sessions and early college registration opportunities. Hometown Mentoring Meet with your Hometown Mentor face-to-face at least once per month (more often is encouraged) during the school year to share your academic and career goals, your progress on college planning and the financial aid process, and to seek advice. Complete all the assignments you and your Hometown Mentor have discussed by the agreed upon date. Meet with your Hometown Mentor on the school campus only in a public location such as the library, cafeteria, etc. Keep your appointments with your Hometown Mentor and arrive on time. Give ample notification to your Hometown Mentor and College Preparatory Advisor if you must cancel an appointment (at least 24 hours notice is requested, more notice is better if possible). Contact your College Preparatory Advisor if you have issues with your Hometown Mentor relationship. Recommendations While You Are a CSF Scholar in College Academic Planning and Performance Attend a Washington college the first regular fall term following your high school graduation. Participate in college orientation and early registration opportunities available at your college. Meet with an academic advisor at least once each term at your college. Enroll full time and complete at least 12 credits per academic term. Maintain satisfactory academic progress for federal aid as defined by your college. Attend class regularly excessive absences impact your academic progress negatively. Communicate with your faculty members ahead of time when you know you will miss a class. Use tutoring and study skills resources available on your campus. Join a learning community or study group. Regularly attend College Success Foundation meetings or functions offered by your college. Regularly visit campus career service office to learn about careers, employment and internship opportunities. Citizenship Obey the rules and laws of your schools, the state, and our country. Get involved in your campus community and participate in leadership activities. Planning for Graduation and Beyond Plan your term-by-term path to college graduation. Meet with your academic advisor to ensure course selection meets graduation requirements. Use your campus career services office to find employment and internships. College Financing and Interaction with the College Success Foundation Re-file the FAFSA anytime after January 1 and before February 15 for each academic year that you will be enrolled in college. Promptly update your contact information when there are changes (name, address, phone number, email, etc.). You can do this through email or the CSF website. HTM Reference Manual CSF Scholars Program Overview 17