College Access Professional Development Day

This workshop offers high school counselors, student advocates, student outreach coordinators and community partners the opportunity to obtain relevant financial aid information they can use to support their students to apply for and receive financial aid for college. Additionally, the workshop will address recent updates to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA), an overview of the Cal Grant program, the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth, and other exciting, new financial aid resources for California students. A significant portion of the workshops will center around the All In for FAFSA/CA Dream Act Completion Initiative, AB 469, for all graduating seniors.

Presenters:

• Jon Waldrep, Training & Outreach Unit
  California Student Aid Commission 
• Morgan McBroom,  Interim Asst. Director Student Services, Financial Aid
  Cal Poly Humboldt

Topic: Uploading and Matching GPAs

This workshop for district and campus staff reviews proper GPA upload preparation and calculations as well as how to link unmatched GPAs to their corresponding FAFSA/CADAA in WebGrants. Attendees will also learn how to submit Non-SSN GPAs both manually and via the batch upload process.

Presenter:

• Jon Waldrep, Training & Outreach Unit
  California Student Aid Commission 

Learn More About California’s Official College and Career Planning Platform, CaliforniaColleges.edu

CaliforniaCollege.edu is the official college and career planning platform for the state of California and offers a unique suite of career, college, and financial aid planning information, curricula, and tools for students, parents, and educators. Learn how to use these free tools to satisfy AB469 financial aid requirements, support student career exploration, and track applications to the CCC, CSU and UC systems all on one platform. 

Additionally, school districts that are recipients of the K-16 Collaborative Grant, this is a great opportunity to learn more about fulfilling the grant requirements to provide full access of the platform to students. Agenda will include time to work together in your school teams.

CCGI is tasked by the state to support all eligible districts by providing technical assistance, professional development, and capacity building. The next application deadline is Oct 30, 2022 for full implementation of the platform for students for the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, school districts that are recipients of the K-16 Collaborative Grant, this is a great opportunity to learn more about fulfilling the grant requirement to provide full access of the platform to students. Agenda will include time to work together in your school teams.

Presenters:

Darice Ingram, Deputy Director, Community Engagement
California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

Ms. Darice Ingram works with CCGI to close equity gaps by building partnerships with California communities and ensuring our work is centered on the needs and experiences of students, families, and educators. Before joining CCGI, she spent 13 years working for California State University, East Bay, and she co-founded a nonprofit dedicated to connecting K-12 school districts, community, parents, businesses, and students to resources that increased college access, retention, and graduation rates of underserved students.

Erika Bennett, College and Career Readiness Educational Services
Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

Prior to her role at RCOE, Mrs. Erika Bennett spent 20+ years with Murrieta Valley USD as a high school teacher, school counselor, district coordinator and assistant principal. As Coordinator of School Counselors, Erika was responsible for district-wide implementation of CaliforniaColleges.edu for grades 6-12.  With a team of dedicated educators, Murrieta Valley USD developed a Tier 1 scope and sequence for college and career readiness using CCGI. The Murrieta Valley Team has expanded use of the platform to key educators in the areas of Special Education, AVID and CTE.

What They’re Saying

“Working collaboratively in the CCGI efforts supports our students to receive a seamless system of data that speeds up the admissions process using accurate data, creates opportunities for advanced troubleshooting, and allows us to work together to address issues that hinder access. Your participation and support will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students.”

Pedro “Peter” Martinez
Director of Admissions & Strategic Communications
Cal Poly Humboldt

“CCGI is an inclusive and equitable tool that offers navigable options for all students. Being able to direct our incoming high school students to one place for all of their post-high school needs helps clarify the path that works best for them. It’s uplifting to see and support this initiative serving the students in our communities!”

Dr. Crystal Morse
Associate Vice Present
College of the Redwoods