Transcript College Goal Sunday February 9, 2004

Role of the Statewide
Coordinator
Presenters:
David E. Roberts, Louisiana
Lora Jorgensen, Alaska
James Rose, D.C.
1
Introduction to CGS
Goal:
A Volunteer program designed to help low-income /
first-generation students complete the FAFSA
How:
Financial Aid experts and community volunteers come
together to assist families in overcoming the financial
aid paperwork hurdle
National Outcomes:
Over 100,000 aspiring college students served to date
Over 700 sites and 9,000 volunteers annually
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CGS States
Current States
Preliminary Planning States
Alaska
Washington
Montana
North
Dakota
Maine
Minnesota
Oregon
Wisconsin
Wyoming
South
Dakota
Massachusetts
New York
Michigan
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Iowa
Illinois
Colorado
District of Columbia
Delaware
Indiana
Maryland
Kansas
Missouri
Arizona
New Jersey
Ohio
Arkansas
New
Mexico
Kentucky
West
Virginia
Tennessee
So.
Carolina
Mississippi
Georgia
Texas
Florida
Louisiana
Hawaii
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Program Support
Technical Support
 National College Goal Sunday Web site
www.CollegeGoalSundayUSA.org
 Centralized resources
 Templates of letters, press releases, etc.
 Financial aid presentation for sites
Webinar Trainings – FAFSA, Homeless, Site
Coordinator
Listserv
National Forum
E Newsletter
4
College Goal Sunday Web site
www.CollegeGoalSundayUSA.org
Grant Submission and Report Forms

Planning, Implementation, Continuation and Extended
College Access Marketing Toolkit
Fundraising Toolkit
Marketplace
FAFSA Line-by-Line

Seven languages
Newsletters
Best Practices Toolkit
State Profiles
Next Steps
5
What is a CGS Event?
Students and their families attend a CGS site for
assistance with the FAFSA
Line-by-line moderated review of the FAFSA
Financial Aid experts circulating
the room
6
Key Points to Remember
College Goal Sunday is a volunteer-run program
The stronger the collaborations, the greater the
success
Evaluate and measure
7
The Players
Statewide Coordinator
Task Force/Steering Committee
Mission-related partners
Funders and volunteers
Public Relations and Grassroots Outreach
Supporting agency
8
Statewide Coordinator
Leadership Responsibilities:
Oversees all aspects of the program
Chairs task force/steering committee
Works w/ local sites on deployment of resources and
ensuring necessary training/tools for event success
Essential Skills & Knowledge:
Highly organized & motivated
Able to delegate tasks and manage volunteers
Builds & maintains valued partnerships/support
systems
Understands the postsecondary system in the state
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Statewide Site Coordinator
Main Program Tasks
Recruit and train site coordinators
Assist in recruiting volunteers
Serve as an alternate lead contact as needed
Coordinate site visits and volunteer training
Oversee state-wide media plan
Monitor event success w/ target audience
Identify and secure expansion sites as needed
10
Local Site Coordinator
Responsibilities
Site selection
• Arrange parking, translation services, computer/internet
access, transportation and any child care
Select Date
Secure equipment, tables and chairs
Set-up presentation
Organize scholarship drawing
Develop Packets
Identify site volunteers
Secure Financial Aid Experts
Forward surveys to the state coordinator
11
Site Volunteer Opportunities
Outreach
Financial Aid
Sponsorship Development
Fundraising
Surveys/Evaluations
PR and Marketing
Volunteer Recruitment
Logistics
Creativity to foster program expansion
12
On-site Event Volunteers
Financial Aid
Registration
Set up/Clean up
Traffic control/signs
Manage uninvited guests
Answer of non-financial aid questions
Child care
Collect surveys/evaluations
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Site Coordination Timeline
September

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Host kick-off taskforce meeting
Recruit volunteers + Financial Aid Experts
Develop media plan
Outreach begins- Promote event(s)
October

Fundraising
• Raffle prizes & Sports team mascots
• Family activities

Attend college fairs
November

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Provide training opportunities
Work on local official buy-in and support
December

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Order FAFSA for the web worksheets if needed
Stuff packets
January

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Execute media plans
Conduct volunteer orientation, including weather contingency plan
February


Have a great event(s)!
Send in survey forms
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Resources
National
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www.collegegoalsundayusa.org
www.collegeaccessmarketing.org
www.nahecy.org
www.ymca.net
www.coenet.us
www.collegeaccess.org
www.efc.org
www.finaid.gov
www.collegeboard.com
www.nefe.org
www.tax-coalition.org
To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.
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Questions
&
Answers
David Roberts:
[email protected]
Lora Jorgensen:
[email protected]
James Rose:
[email protected]
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