financial aid outreach: raising the bar lynn barnes, jr. texas a&m university lbarnes@tamu.edu

Financial Aid Outreach:Raising the Bar

Lynn Barnes, Jr.

Texas A&M University

lbarnes@tamu.edu

Former A&M President Dr. Robert M. Gates:

“Texas A&M University is committed to promoting diversity in all of its dimensions as an essential enriching aspect of a quality educational experience.  The real world – the world after college -- is endlessly diverse; A&M students must be prepared to make their contribution in that world”

Why Financial Aid Outreach?

• Texas population is changing and growing.

• Data shows we have big information problems.

• Closing the Gaps

Why Financial Aid Outreach?

Projected Population Growth in Texas0

1020

3040

popu

latio

n si

ze (

mill

ions

)

2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

source: Texas State Data Center and Office of the State Demographer: 2008

0.5 migration effect

Anglo Hispanic Black other

Projected Ethnic Change in theState of Texas, 2000-2040

Sources: Office of the State Demographer, 0.5 Migration Scenario

Household Incomes AffectAbility to Attend College

51,717

35,709 33,843

62,389

40,72536,256

020

,00

040

,00

060

,00

0

White Hispanic Black Asian Native American other

source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey: 2007

Median Household Income in Texas

Projected Percent of Labor Force byEducational Attainment in Texas, 2000 and 2040

18.8

29 28.7

18.2

5.3

30.128.7

23.9

12.9

4.4

No High School Diploma

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate/Prof.Degree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Percent

2000 2040

Source: Projections are shown for the 1.0 scenario

Does Financial Aid Information Matterin the Latino Community?

• 3/4 of young adults NOT currently in college would have been more likely to attend college if exposed to better information about financial aid

• More than half of all Latino parents and 43% of Latino young adults could not name a single source of financial aid

• More than 2/3 of Latino parents did not receive any financial aid information while child was in K-12

Source: Sallie Mae Fund study of Latinos – study conduted by TRPI

Texas A&M Strategy

• Outreach infrastructure – Admissions AND Financial Aid

• Targeted scholarship funds. Regents’ Scholars Program.

• Collaboration and communication.• Regional Prospective Student Centers.

Regional Prospective Student Centers

Financial Aid Advisors:•Brazos Valley (2)•Corpus Christi (1)•Dallas (4)•Houston (4)•Rio Grande Valley (3)•San Antonio (3)•Laredo (1)•Central Tx (2)

What we do…

• One-on-one counseling• Community Outreach• FAFSA Workshops• High School visits• Middle school outreach• Presentations• Campus trips• Special programs• Sponsored events

You can make a difference…

• Make outreach a priority in your organization – culture change. More than ever, you hold the keys….

• Get creative and do some research.• Plug into outreach and recruitment activities in your

organization. Make sure financial aid information is getting out.

• Partner with existing organizations in your community – many do outreach and have programs.

You can make a difference…

• Encourage staff to participate in outreach programs already being done.

• Be visible to the middle and high schools – sponsor something.

• Seek out funding.• Marketing Materials.

Tell us what you are doing…

Questions??