ASPIRE Expansion Overview Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone ASPIRE is a program of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

ASPIRE Expansion Overview

Access to

Student Assistance

Programs

In

Reach of

Everyone

ASPIRE is a program of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission

ASPIRE is Expanding115 sites 165 sites

Three ways to ASPIRE!

1. Traditional ASPIRE: At a school or site that serves high school students

2. eASPIRE: Online mentoring

3. Getting Ready to ASPIRE: Mentoring for middle school students

Expansion funds provided by Federal GEAR UP and

College Access Challenge Grant

Apply at www.AspireOregon.org Volunteer to be an eMentor

Who administers ASPIRE?

The mission of OSAC:

To assist Oregon students and their families in attaining a postsecondary education and to enhance the value, integrity, and diversity of Oregon's college programs

ASPIRE Goals

Provide mentoring and resources to help students access education and training beyond high school

Help ASPIRE sites build a sustainable community of volunteer mentors

Educate students and families about school selection, and options regarding scholarship and financial aid

What is ASPIRE?• Provides one-on-one mentoring by adult volunteers

• Welcomes ALL students

• Offers ALL postsecondary educational options (Career-Technical, Apprenticeships, Community College, 4-year College or University)

• Creates a network of volunteer support and activities to help students and their families realize their dream of post-secondary education.

Extends and enhances the reach

of high school career and guidance staff.

Why do students need ASPIRE?

“No one in my family has ever gone to

college…”

“I’m not smart enough.”

“I don’t know where or how to go…”

“I can’t afford it…” “I can do just as well going straight to

work...”

B. Reaching Oregon Students

Makes a Difference for Students!

“There’s nothing like seeing the light in the eyes of a student at the very moment they begin to believe they can attend college.” ASPIRE Advisor

 “ASPIRE kept me motivated to complete scholarships. My advisor helped me fill out

the FAFSA, which I wouldn't have known about otherwise.”Student at Yamhill-Carlton High School

 “My ASPIRE advisor at Marshfield High School was an instrumental part of my

college decision making process. She volunteered her time to teach me about the application process, how to create an effective Pro/Con spreadsheet, and how to

write successful essays.” Student at Marshfield High School

 “ASPIRE provided services to students that would not be here if ASPIRE did not

exist.” Principal at Crow High School  

ASPIRE

ASPIRE Statistics

1998 to 2010

• 4 sites to 115

• 41 volunteers to 1,516

• 160 students to 9,087

• 2007 - General Funds appropriated

• 2007 – Statute 348.500 - ASPIRE Programs

www.AspireOregon.org/about.html

ASPIRE TeamScholarship and Access Program Director – Vicki MerkelASPIRE and Outreach Supervisor/Team Lead – Lori EllisTraining/Recruitment – Deb ParkRegion Supervisors– Columbia & New CACG Sites Gretchen Beckner & Holli Kalaleh– Mazama Becky Wilson– Willamette Gary Campbell– New CACG Sites Gayle Yamasaki– Special Projects Coord. Steve MachadoProgram Assistant Kristin VreelandSite Coordinators LocalASPIRE Volunteer Advisors LocalASPIRE Advisory Team Program Participants

School or Agency Administrator’s Responsibilities

• Designate ASPIRE coordinator

• Provide release time, travel costs for ASPIRE coordinator to attend fall conference

• Provide:– Adequate workspace– Phone– Internet access– College resource materials

• Meet annually with ASPIRE region supervisor and coordinator to assess program, set goals

ASPIRE Coordinator Responsibilities

• Obtain permission slips for students under 18

• Perform criminal history verification for all volunteers

• Attend training and ASPIRE conference(s)

• Set goals and performance measures

• Recruit and manage volunteer corps

• Recruit and match students with volunteers

• Collect data: progress reports, surveys, scholarship tracking

ASPIRE Volunteers: Giving individual students time and support to realize their dreams.

Parents, retirees, business people, college students, alumni, service club members…YOU?

OSAC provides 50% of the funds needed to pay the wages of the ASPIRE coordinator at your site. The Partnership Grant Agreement signifies that you agree to provide the remaining 50% of funds needed as a demonstration of support. This match may be met one of two ways:

1) A new position may be created or a part-time position may be expanded and your in-kind or funds will match State contribution.

2) Existing staff time and duties (guidance counselor, school counselor, or other staff assigned to college career-related duties) may match the state contribution.

ASPIRE Coordinator time must be used for ASPIRE Program activities. To meet the requirements of the Partnership Grant, your ASPIRE Coordinator must dedicate at least 05 or 10 hours per week to the management of the ASPIRE program.

ASPIRE Partnership Grant Overview:

Let’s Make a Difference…

“To the world I may be one person, but to him I may be the world.”

~ASPIRE Advisor

Becoming an ASPIRE Site.

• Overview of Partnership Grant:

• Importance of In-Kind Proposal to meet Partnership Match– Enables Schools and Youth Service Agencies

to become involved with ASPIRE without additional budgetary obligation during challenging fiscal times.

– Application Process: Overview

ASPIRE Funding Partners 2010-11

State General Funds for Administration and Partnership Grants

Other Funds for Partnership Grants

Other Funds for the e-ASPIRE and Get Ready to ASPIRE Special Projects

Other Funds for Former Foster Youth trainings, publications & website information, and Fall Conference

Other Funds for Partnership Grants

Other Funds for students with disabilities

College Access Challenge Grant

Other Funds for ASPIRE Expansion

Examples of In-Kind Match: Small School

School B: OSAA Classification 4A-6A

College Access Challenge Grant Amount = $4000 toward 10 hours each week of Site Coordinator Position.

School B wanted to create an additional part-time position to provide volunteer recruitment, support, and coordination.

They contacted a number of their business partners and their school district foundation and asked for financial support to meet the $4000 match. The shared with their businesses that where a small individual student scholarship would be wonderful, having the businesses link resources together in this way has the ability to help approximately 50 students have access to post-secondary support with weekly 1-1 mentoring.

Examples of In-Kind Match: Large School

Examples of In-Kind Match: Community Agency

• Community Youth Service Agency– Able to apply to be an ASPIRE Site if direct services are

provided to High School Age Youth.• Most would fit under the OSAA 1A to 3A classification for

Partnership Grant Eligibility which is $2000 for 5 hours of services by Site Coordinator.

– Example: A Drug Free Community Coalition coordinates an after-school program with a part-time Mentoring Coordinator position paid by a Foundation Grant.

• This group decided that this position was a natural fit for the ASPIRE Site Coordination duties so were able to identify 5 hours of this work that meets the In-Kind Match.

Resources Provided to ASPIRE Sites

• ASPIRE written handbooks for: • School administrators• ASPIRE coordinators• ASPIRE advisors

• www.AspireOregon.org

• www.GetCollegeFunds.org

• ASPIRE list serve

• ASPIRE Blog

ASPIRE Trainings and Webinars

• Administrative Overview

• Principal & involved staff

• Introduction to ASPIRE

• ASPIRE advisors

• College 101

• ASPIRE Advisors, students, parents

• Finding Fund$ for Oregon $tudents

• ASPIRE advisors, students, parents, school staff & community members

Calendar available on ASPIRE Oregon Website

www.ASPIREOregon.org

Questions?