Financial Aid Fridays
Log-in for an hour of informal discussion at 9:30AM, October 25, about the FAFSA with other college access colleagues, what to expect for the 2025 form opening 12/1/24, and updates released by the U.S. Department of Education.
Although FAFSA completion will not be a graduation requirement for eligible high school seniors in the state of Louisiana, we are committed to promoting the submission of the application and supporting you with timely and relevant resources.
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 999 1109 6298
Life After High School Convening
Join us for our fifth annual Life After High School convening hosted by NOLA CCAN at the Cowen Institute!
More information, registration, Request for Proposals, and the application for tabling can be found here.
See you there!
FAFSA Follow-up - uAspire Webinar Series
uAspire Webinar Series
This virtual training will address common challenges and best practices of FAFSA follow-up, including the importance of reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (previously called the Student Aid Report). We will also discuss federal verification requirements and strategies for helping students navigate the verification process.
NOLA CCAN partner uAspire’s Webinar Series is offered at no charge for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who want to boost their knowledge and refresh their programming or practice.
Financial Aid Offer Review - uAspire Webinar Series
uAspire Webinar Series
This webinar shares best practices for reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (previously called the Student Aid Report), navigating special circumstances, and handling the complexity of verification.
You'll be able to:
Explain the difference between FAFSA submission and FAFSA completion
Describe the information that the FAFSA Submission Summary provides
Recognize the 2024-25 federal verification items
Empower students and families to compare the full costs of attending multiple colleges in order to make informed financial decisions about where to go to college and how to pay for it while minimizing student debt.
NOLA CCAN partner uAspire’s Webinar Series is offered at no charge for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who want to boost their knowledge and refresh their programming or practice.
Summer Steps for Financial Aid - uAspire Webinar Series
uAspire Webinar Series
This webinar shares best practices for supporting students through summer college affordability activities, like paying the fall bill and planning for indirect expenses.
You’ll be able to:
Describe the financial aid tasks students must complete over the summer to successfully matriculate
Help students understand the college bill, identify payment options, and prepare for indirect expenses
Find opportunities for student to build self-advocacy skills
NOLA CCAN partner uAspire’s Webinar Series is offered at no charge for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who want to boost their knowledge and refresh their programming or practice.
Intro to Financial Aid - uAspire Webinar Series
uAspire Webinar Series
This webinar provides an overview of the main types of financial aid and financial aid application process, while incorporating a student-centered approach to the terminology and requirements.
You’ll be able to:
Describe the different types of federal financial aid
Explain the key steps to apply for aid
Help students prepare to successfully navigate the financial aid process
NOLA CCAN partner uAspire’s Webinar Series is offered at no charge for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who want to boost their knowledge and refresh their programming or practice.
Learnings from the 24-25 FAFSA and Preparing for 25-26 - uAspire Webinar Series
uAspire Webinar Series
This past year has seen unprecedented FAFSA challenges for students and families as they apply for financial aid, with some still experiencing barriers well into the summer. Even with these challenges persisting, those providing FAFSA support–school counselors, college access and success providers, and others–need to step back and share strategies and best practices to make the 25-26 FAFSA a much better experience for students. Hear from uAspire as we discuss critical learnings from advising students and training counselors across the country, share the best practices we plan to leverage when the next FAFSA launches, and highlight where we plan to continue to advocate for improvements.
NOLA CCAN partner uAspire’s Webinar Series is offered at no charge for counselors, mentors, and college access professionals who want to boost their knowledge and refresh their programming or practice.
End of Year Social - RSVP CLOSED
Join us in the VIP Reserve section of Bayou Beer & Wine Garden to close out an impactful year!
Delicious bites, happy hour, raffles, great people, good times! One lucky grand prize raffle winner will receive registration and a travel stipend ($1000 value) to NCAN’s annual conference in Anaheim, CA, September 16-18, 2024!
315 N Rendon St, New Orleans, LA 70119
With an enthusiastic response from our partners, the RSVP form is now closed.
NOLA CCAN General Meeting
Join us virtually for the final meeting of the year, as we chronicle the education landscape in New Orleans + dive into our own Life After High School data, compiled by Cowen Institute’s Data & Research team, to answer a few important questions: How did we get here? Where are our students going? Are they poised for success? What are their options? We’ll unpack the employment landscape of New Orleans and Louisiana, including job availability and in-demand industries. Additionally, we’ll learn which students enrolled and re-enrolled in college based on demographics, such as household income, race, and high school, and which percentage of recent graduates matriculated through 2- or 4-year college, for example. This knowledge should increase your understanding and inform how you support and guide your students. Zoom Meeting ID: 949 3190 3034
NO4C Virtual Meeting: Level All
New Orleans College & Career Counseling Collaborative (NO4C)
Tailored to counselors who support 8th-12th grade students, this meeting will give an overview of the Level All platform and resources that pertain (but aren’t limited) to the following for this age group:
College Search/College Fit
Funding Postsecondary Education
Military & College Alternatives
Major & Career Exploration
Workforce Development
Gap Year Options
Volunteerism & Productive Summer Months
etc.
Arm yourself with this free resource and take advantage of the Summer to familiarize yourself with the platform before rolling it out to your students in the Fall. Or perhaps, don’t wait at all! See you there!
Zoom Meeting ID: 936 5892 4208
NOCPC Virtual Meeting: Level All
New Orleans College Persistence Collaborative (NOCPC)
Catering to practitioners who support high school graduates and to counselors who have secondary students heading straight for the workforce and “adulting”, this meeting will give an overview of the Level All platform and resources that pertain (but aren’t limited) to the following:
Internships
Loan Repayment
Interview Preparation
The cost of renting and pet ownership
Major & Career Exploration
Civic Engagement
Investing
etc.
Arm yourself with this resource and take advantage of the Summer to familiarize yourself with the platform before rolling it out to your students in the Fall. Or perhaps, don’t wait at all! See you there!
Zoom Meeting ID: 946 6601 9650
NO4C Meeting
Tulane University Makes Waves to Attract Local Students
Audience: New Orleans College & Career Counseling Collaborative (NO4C) — high school-serving practitioners
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New Orleans is a predominantly Black city, yet only 5% of the current freshmen class at Tulane identifies as Black or African-American. This prestigious institution welcomed approximately 4000 students of the more than 30,000 who submitted applications, and fewer than 10% of the class of 2027 are from the city. (source)
While these data are jarring, the private research university is actively working to attract and retain local students. Join this virtual meeting to learn how Tulane is becoming more accessible and affordable to Louisianians with an AGI of $100,000 or less, as well as prepare them with their pre-college experiences (full scholarships available for certain programs). You will also learn about the efforts to support minority populations through their Tulane education.
This meeting will take place virtually.
Meeting ID: 991 8991 9586
FAFSA Verification & Follow-Up Training
This virtual training, led by our partners at uAspire, will address common challenges and best practices of FAFSA follow-up, including the importance of reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (previously called the Student Aid Report). We will also discuss federal verification requirements and strategies for helping students navigate the verification process.
Registration is required.
NOLA CCAN General Meeting
Finding Your Pace, Give Yourself Grace
Kick off the new year with a reminder to be kind to yourself as a practitioner, partner, and/or parent, but more importantly, as a person. We juggle A LOT! Take a break from FAFSA completions, writing recommendation letters, and teaching students how to “adult”. Come gain tools for yourself on how to find a good groove while being gracefully productive, in order to show up as your best self for your loved ones and the students you support.
Facilitator: Dr. Erin Wheeler, PhD, Founder & CEO of Gracefully Productive Coaching & Consulting
This meeting will take place in-person at the Cowen Institute. 1555 Poydras. Suite 700, NOLA 70112.
Coffee, king cake, and validated parking* will be provided.
*only in 1555 Poydras garage
Financial Aid Fridays
Join the final virtual discussion about to support students with “unusual circumstances” that may grant them actual or provisional independent student status. These could include students who:
👨🍼are parents
✌🏽have been emancipated
🏚️are unhoused
🏛️ are wardens of the State or previously in foster care
⚖️ currently are incarcerated
Etcetera
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
Life After High School Convening
Join us for our annual Life After High School convening, a one-day conference planned by the Cowen Institute at Tulane University, with the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
This convening is 100% complimentary to all invested stakeholders--high school guidance counselors, adolescent-serving non-profit practitioners, school board members, employees at NOLA Public Schools, elected officials, funders, etc.
Dynamic breakout sessions, an unmatched plenary speaker, and a special presentation by NOLA-PS are carefully curated to bring you the most current information, practices, and resources as it relates to college and career success.
This year's event will be held at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life on the campus of Tulane University.
Financial Aid Fridays
Join the biweekly virtual discussion about a different student scenario and how to support the student with FAFSA completion and/or accessing financial aid to fund their postsecondary education based on their unique situation.
Scenarios will be posted here in advance so you can brainstorm prior to logging in.
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
Financial Aid Fridays
Join the biweekly virtual discussion about a different student scenario and how to support the student with FAFSA completion and/or accessing financial aid to fund their postsecondary education based on their unique situation.
Scenarios will be posted here in advance so you can brainstorm prior to logging in.
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
Webinar: Getting Ready for Better FAFSA
Join the Senior Director of Strategic Programming at the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), MorraLee Keller, alongside the talented staff at uAspire as they share changes to the FAFSA including:
Line-by-line review of the new form.
Updates to the FSA ID process for those people without Social Security Numbers.
Reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly the Student Aid Report).
The status of resources and tools available from Federal Student Aid and NCAN.
Can’t make it? Plan to attend the identical webinar on 11/20.
Note: Each Getting Ready for Better FAFSA webinar is identical, excluding the inclusion of any screenshots that may become available from fsa.gov.
Financial Aid Fridays
Join the biweekly virtual discussion about a different student and how to support them with FAFSA completion and/or accessing financial aid to fund their postsecondary education based on their unique situation.
Scenario: Student Caleb is working on his section of the FAFSA. He correctly invites his father to be the contributor for his parent's joint tax return. Caleb's parents combined adjusted gross income is $46,000, but they have not completed their section of the FAFSA yet. While completing his section, Caleb is required to answer the student asset questions. Why does Caleb see those questions? Will any assets he reports be taken into consideration when calculating his Student Aid Index (SAI)? What is the rationale?
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
NOLA CCAN Meeting
At this virtual meeting, we will have Eric Menna, Co-Founder of Loper, delivering contemporary content on a topic that fits perfectly into the college affordability conversation: college fit. Plus, a big announcement will be made (hint hint: it includes giveaways)!
While this content may best suit the New Orleans College & Career Counseling Collaborative (NO4C), a group of counselors who serve current high school students, the New Orleans College Persistence Collaborative (NOCPC - for those supporting high school graduates) will definitely benefit from learning about a free tool available to students engaged in college exploration and those considering a transfer to a different institution.
Registration is required. Register here.
Financial Aid Fridays
Join the biweekly virtual discussion about a different student scenario and how to support the student with FAFSA completion and/or accessing financial aid to fund their postsecondary education based on their unique situation.
STUDENT SCENARIO: Student Isaak is starting his FAFSA when he shares that he has two new siblings born in June 2023. What concerns does this raise about using household size based on 2022 tax forms? What questions could you ask Isaak to get an accurate household size? How can you ensure the right household size is reported?
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
Webinar: Getting Ready for Better FAFSA
Join the Senior Director of Strategic Programming at the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), MorraLee Keller, alongside the talented at staff uAspire as they share changes to the FAFSA including:
Line-by-line review of the new form.
Updates to the FSA ID process for those people without Social Security Numbers.
Reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly the Student Aid Report).
The status of resources and tools available from Federal Student Aid and NCAN.
Can’t make it? Plan to attend the identical webinar on 10/23.
Financial Aid Fridays
Better FAFSA is opening in December. Will you be ready?!
Join the biweekly virtual discussion about a different student scenario and how to support the student with FAFSA completion and/or accessing financial aid to fund their postsecondary education based on their unique situation.
Scenario: Student Mohammed wants to file his FAFSA. He cannot convince his parents to provide consent for the IRS to share their federal tax information for his FAFSA. They manually enter their income information and then submit the form. Mohammed's college receives his rejected FAFSA and notifies him that he is not eligible for federal financial aid unless his parents consent to transfer their tax information is received. Upon receiving this news, his father agrees to provide consent for their joint tax return. What steps should Mohammed and his parents take to grant consent on the FAFSA?
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 956 4705 7715
Combined Collaborative Meeting
Join us virtually for the final meeting of the year, as we chronicle the education landscape in New Orleans + dive into our own Life After High School data, compiled by Cowen Institute’s Data & Research team, to answer a few important questions: How did we get here? Where are our students going? Are they poised for success? What are their options? We’ll unpack the employment landscape of New Orleans and Louisiana, including job availability and in-demand industries. Additionally, we’ll learn which students enrolled and re-enrolled in college based on demographics, such as household income, race, and high school, and which percentage of recent graduates matriculated through 2- or 4-year college, for example. This knowledge should increase your understanding and inform how you support and guide your students. Zoom Meeting ID: 961 8410 5057 Passcode: NOLACAN
Combined Collaborative Meeting
Participants of both the College & Career Counseling Collaborative and the College Persistence Collaborative will hear from student advocate LaRita Francois, and how she has been serving individuals with exceptionalities across several Louisiana parishes, including Orleans Parish, for over 10 years. Paired with a representative from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), attendees can expect to learn more about
how to support their students with special needs towards a meaningful and best-fit life after high school
how to advocate when students need evaluations and accommodations in their late adolescent years
how to unlock their potential as they reach adulthood, and
where to access funding for their postsecondary education.
This is an in-person meeting at the Cowen Institute. Coffee, pastries, and validated parking provided.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid training for practitioners serving students age 17+, presented by NAMI New Orleans.
Participants will complete a 6-8 hours of self-paced virtual training ahead of this in-person course, and they will earn a certificate confirming their completion and proficiency in recognizing and responding to adult students (and community members) experiencing a mental health crisis.
Validated parking for the Cowen Institute will be provided, as well as coffee, snacks, and lunch. Registration is now closed.
College Persistence Collaborative
At this meeting, we’ll hear from the Opportunity Youth Initiative at Delgado Community College, which is a wraparound college support program for 16-24 year-olds not currently enrolled in college/university. Through the program, students register in a degree or certificate program within Delgado’s Nursing or Allied Health Division, and they receive free 1:1 tutoring, access to bus passes and food, tech equity, workforce development, and support with job placement, to name a few. Scholarships are available.
College & Career Counseling Collaborative
Join us in-person at the Cowen Institute for our guest speaker from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, who’ll do a deep dive into their My Life. My Way. platform. Learn more about this resource that was designed with high school students in mind as they plan to manage their life, money, and career, and map out the necessary education to achieve those goals.
Coffee, king cake, and validated parking will be provided.
College Persistence Collaborative
Happy New Year! The NOCPC will be meeting in-person to kick off 2023 with wellness expert Sydney Kastner as we discuss how to identify and address stress to prevent compassion fatigue while serving our students and simultaneously taking care of ourselves. Join us at the Cowen Institute this month, where king cake, coffee, and validated parking will be available!
College and Career Counseling Collaborative
Join us virtually for an overview of how to access your students’ FAFSA completion data by school from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA), and learn about what would need to happen to track individual students’ completion/renewal of this federal application.
Combined Collaborative Meeting: College Persistence Collaborative & College and Career Counseling Collaborative
Join us virtually for a joint meeting to hear from a representative from Next Gen Personal Finance. Learn about how you can incorporate financial literacy into your lessons, advising, or coaching meetings. NGPF provides tools to offer personal finance not only to your students, but to empower practitioners as well with certification trainings, CEUs, detailed lesson plans, and engaging games that teach about all aspects of real finances. Some examples are paying for college, investing, cryptocurrency, types of credit, insurance, taxes, etc. Best part: it’s all complimentary! You won’t want to miss it!