Improving Student Success in Postsecondary Education in New Mexico

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Improving Student Success in Postsecondary
Education in New Mexico
Las Cruces High School Presents
A Report Prepared for The New Mexico Commission
on Higher Education
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New Mexico Faces Significant Challenges

• ..in improving access to postsecondary
  education for a wide range of its citizenry. If
  these challenges are not addressed, New Mexicos
  ability to compete in the national and global
  economy will continue to erode. Chronic equity
  gaps will worsen, with New Mexico becoming a more
  divided society. NMCHE

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One Recommendation by NMCHE

• Improve the transition from high school to
  college.
• .include greater outreach and information for
  students and their parents. NMCHE

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How Do We Support State Recommendations and Our
Students?
Las Cruces High SchoolCollege Nights!!
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What are College Nights?

• How they are organized
• In collaboration with area high schools.
• Working with multiple universities and
  institutions.
• Various medias are utilized to promote the events
  including local colleges.
• Institution neutral to encourage greater
  participation.

• The Format and Message
• General financial aid presentation.
• The basics- What is financial aid and how to
  apply.
• Students and parents visit with various
  institutions on admission and financial aid
  requirements specific to the respective college.
  Both In-state and out-of-state colleges
  participate.

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How Do We Support State Recommendations and Our
Students?

• Las Cruces High School
• On- Site FAFSA Assistance!!
• What is a FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid is required to apply for Grants, Work
  study and Loans.

Students assisted on-site with submission of
their FAFSA
Evening FAFSA assistance available for working
parents
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How are we doing?
Data provided by NMSL
Las Cruces High School has increased the number
of students/parents receiving valuable
information on post-secondary requirements by 60!
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How are we doing?

• Mayfield HS and LCHS reflected an increase of
  11.3 and 11.2 respectfully in the number of
  students applying early.
• By utilizing AES facilitators, LCHS and
  Mayfield have had the most aggressive college
  prep programs in the southwest. NMSL

Data courtesy of NMSU
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Can We Do It Better!?

• YES, WE CAN!!
• By utilizing untapped resources for College
  Nights such as
• The Department of Labor
• WIA
• Community organizations
• Human Services/Family Assistance
• Businesses providing scholarships
• Profiling a student success story
• If I can do it.you can to!
• And More

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So what does this all mean?

• Students are better educated in the admission and
  financial aid process thus increasing their odds
  for success. Including academic progress
  requirements.
• Students make informed decisions.
• Students/Parents understand their college funding
  options.
• Students/Parents learn how to obtain and maintain
  institutional scholarships
• Students applying early increase their odds of
  receiving additional aid. College is more
  affordable!
• Las Cruces High Schools utilizes state entities
  and resources to promote and educate students on
  post-secondary opportunities.
• Las Cruces High School supports New Mexicos
  educational pipeline!

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Las Cruces High School Career Center Makes A
Difference!

• Visit www.nmche.state.nm.us to learn more on
• Improving Student Success in Postsecondary
  Education in New Mexico.
• Helpful Websites
• www.nmsu.edu
• www.nmstudentloans.org