13th Year Promise Scholarship

Gary Oertli, President

Elizabeth Pluhta, Executive Director of College Advancement and the Foundation

South Seattle Community College

South Seattle Community College

• Located in urban metropolis• Main campus, Georgetown, New Holly

• Comprehensive community college, also offers bachelor’s degrees• Serves 17,000 students annually

• 67% are ethnic minorities• 44% speak English as their second language• Average student age is 31 years• 51% are first-generation college students• Less than 300 students annually matriculate directly from high school

13th Year Promise Scholarship

The 13th Year Promise Scholarship guarantees that all graduating seniors from two feeder high schools have the opportunity to attend South Seattle Community College tuition-free for one year.

Provides powerful combination of financial resources and student support

http://www.king5.com/home/Chief-Sealth-Scholarships-113641409.html

Why a 13th Year Scholarship?• “Tipping Point” research (CCRC/SBCTC):

– K-12 + 1 year college = success– Industry credential or continuing education– $7,000+ annual earnings for student– Annual benefit to economy and tax payers of $4,700/student

• Remove financial barrier to higher education • Reaching groups traditionally underserved in higher education• Increase college enrollment from high school – avoid “10 year drift”

Innovation Process

• Foundation board retreat (2006)• Research and Program design (2007)• Pilot program launch (2007 – 2008)• First 13th Year students enroll in college (2008)• Assessment and creation of Readiness

Academy (2009 – 2010)• Hire 13th Year Coordinator (2010)• Expansion and full implementation (2011)

High School Profiles

High School 1 (Pilot)• Senior class – 85 • 94% students of color• 67% Free/reduced lunch

Lowest performing school• 61% meet state standards in

Reading• 12% meet state standards in

Math

High School 2• Senior Class – 220• 70% students of color• 55% Free / reduced lunch

Low performing school• 76% meet state standards in

Reading• 43% meet state standards in

Math

Doubles Direct Matriculation from High School!

13th Year Student Success Results (2008 – 2010 Pre-Readiness Academy)

Assessment & Improvement

2008 – 2010

• Complete scholarship application form

• Apply for financial aid (grants only)

• Funds for tuition only

2011 – Beyond • Complete scholarship application

form• Apply for financial aid (grants

only)• Complete Readiness Academy

– College workshops– Placement Testing– Math/English Instruction– New Student Orientation

• Funds for tuition, coordinator, instruction, etc.

13th Year Readiness Academy

• College 101 Sessions at high school (Fall)• Financial Aid Workshops(January)• COMPASS Placement test workshop (February)• COMPASS Placement Pre-Test (March)• COMPASS Improvement workshops (April)• COMPASS Placement Post-Test (May)• College Field Trip (May)• Intensive New Student Orientation (September)• Monthly advising meetings (September – June)

13th Year Readiness Academy: COMPASS

• COMPASS Placement test workshop (February)• Test Prep, Math/English Review

• COMPASS Placement Pre-Test (March)• COMPASS Improvement workshops (April)• 4 hours x 4 Saturdays = 16 hours for English• 4 hours x 4 Saturdays = 16 hours for Math

• COMPASS Placement Post-Test (May)• 40% increased placement by at least one course level

measured from pre-post test

13th Year Readiness Academy: Orientation

1) Classroom Success• Classroom Simulation• Faculty Panel

2) Success Outside of the Classroom• Student Life• Resources (Tutoring, Advising, etc.)

3) Personal success• Balance / Time Management• Talking with family / friends about college

Cost & Budget

• $1,000 annual avg. tuition / per students (74 students)

• $40,000 for full-time coordinator• $10,000 for COMPASS workshops

• TOTAL - $124,000 annually• Average Participant Cost - $1,675

• Significant in-kind college support as well!

Financial Details

13th Year Student Demographics

13th Year Student Success Results(2011 – Readiness Academy Intervention)

Students Tell Us!• Guaranteed tuition coverage!• Single point of contact (Coordinator)• New Student Orientation • Cohort model• Student-friendly communication (text, Facebook,

etc.)

• Financial aid process /needs still a challenge• Disappointment with academic placement

Staff Tell Us!

• Focus on success• Collaborative model • Opportunity to work with community leaders• Professional development / growth• “Guinea Pig” group for other student success

initiatives

• Time and resources continue to be a challenge

Donors & Board Members Tell Us!

• Big, bold vision!

• Clear concept• Involved in program creation – not just

fundraising• Early success• But, still room to make a difference• Supports “our kids”

Challenges• Coordination with high school

– Very, very busy– Many other scholarship/achievement programs

• Financial risk / uncertainty

• Perception of “fixing” the public school system• Complexity of Financial Aid process• Ability to overcome factors beyond program’s control• Students’ ability to succeed while enrolled• Amount of internal support and resources needed• Economic climate

Opportunities & Benefits• Awareness of education issues (readiness, access for

underserved)• Increased collaboration with education partners• Energized board members, college staff, community members• Increased direct from high school enrollment• Glean research and best practices that can apply to all students• Reach out to new friends and donors• Raise college profile and visibility• Professional development for advancement / student services

Future Directions

• Expand to all high schools in service area (4 total)– Fundraising Campaign - $4 million– Vision for entire city of Seattle

• Enhance Readiness Academy – earlier• Conduct additional data analysis• Get the word out!

Thank You!

Gary Oertli, PresidentGary.oertli@seattlecolleges.edu

Elizabeth A. Pluhta, Executive Director of College Advancement and the Foundation

Elizabeth.pluhta@seattlecolleges.edu