Ninth-graders prepare early to succeed in college

First-generation students from underserved communities
immersed in college life during new Saint Mary’s program

WINONA, Minn. — Twenty-five 9th-graders from Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Tucson, Ariz., will get a head start on college success this summer, thanks to a first-of-its-kind program offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

From July 24 to Aug. 7, the university’s Countdown to College academic camp will provide these students (and teachers from their home schools) with activities that will help them prepare for successful college experiences. Countdown to College will boost students’ skills, confidence and knowledge of how to negotiate the social and academic world of college.

Countdown to College offers free classes, recreation, field trips, and room and board. Saint Mary’s plans to welcome back the same students for four consecutive summers. Each year a new group of 9th graders will be selected to participate in the Countdown to College experience, resulting in a total camp population of 100 9th- through 12th-graders by the fourth summer.

“To our knowledge, this is the first program in the nation that offers four consecutive years of early immersion in the college experience,” said Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education for Saint Mary’s University, who helped develop the program.

Why the program is needed

Currently, about one of every two economically disadvantaged youth of color in the U.S. does not graduate from high school. Only a small percentage of Latinos and African Americans have college degrees. This is the reality even as demand is rising for better-educated workers who can function in today’s technologically complex global economy.

“Countdown to College is designed to ensure college success for first-generation students whose parents did not have the opportunity to go to college,” said Dr. Anderson. “First-generation students, many of them students of color from underserved schools and communities, are at an economic and educational disadvantage when it comes to reaching and finishing college. These are all factors that are known to significantly limit their ability to attend and succeed in college.”

Countdown to College highlights

Countdown to College seeks to break down the barriers to higher education by exposing youth directly to the college experience for two weeks each summer for four straight years. The first summer, each day will be filled with college orientation and classes in reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, math and leadership. Their schedules will also include supervised study halls, academic contests, sports, recreation, and field trips. Other college preparation subjects, such as science, will be added in subsequent years.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the program is that it includes a teacher or staff representative from each of the participating students’ schools. They will co-teach the classes alongside Saint Mary’s instructors. This will help prepare the university instructors to work with an increasingly diverse population of college students. In turn, the visiting teachers learn how to set their students up for success in college and how to help create a community of support around the students.

The participants in Countdown to College attend schools in the Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago and Tucson metropolitan areas. Preference is given to graduates of Saint Mary’s middle school partners in the NativityMiguel Network of Jesuit and Christian Brothers’ schools, which are located in those cities.

Countdown to College is funded for 2010-2013 by a generous donation from Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester, Minn., who are long-time supporters of Saint Mary’s University. Mary Ann Remick is also the chairwoman of Saint Mary’s First-Generation Advisory Board.

Part of the broader ‘First-Generation Initiative’

Countdown to College is the foundation segment of Saint Mary’s broader First-Generation Initiative to improve college access and success.

“Countdown to College and our First-Generation Initiative reflect Saint Mary’s mission to make higher education accessible to learners, regardless of their financial situations,” said Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University.

Countdown to College graduates will receive preferential consideration to participate in Saint Mary’s First-Generation Initiative program, which provides college scholarships, and educational support to first-generation students who demonstrate financial need as well as leadership and academic potential. Beginning this fall, up to 15 students are eligible to receive full four-year scholarships. These scholarships will provide full financial support for tuition, room and board, books, computer, spending money, and one semester of study abroad.

“Students participating in Countdown to College may potentially become part of Saint Mary’s First-Generation Initiative scholarship program, which would be a seamless continuation of support for these students,” said Brother Edmund Siderewicz, assistant to the president for First-Generation and Lasallian Initiatives. “We want to provide full scholarships and opportunities for our First-Generation students – study abroad, internships, life to the fullest – because we know these students have the potential to accomplish great things.”

Saint Mary’s University expands program to make private college accessible to more families

WINONA, Minn. – By expanding its Brother James Miller Program for Access, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is making a private college education affordable to even more students and families.

Through the innovative program, Saint Mary’s guarantees that the total cost for qualified freshmen will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (including tuition, room, meals and fees).

Most lower-income families will also qualify for federal and state aid to further reduce their expenses.

The U of M was chosen for comparison because it is Minnesota’s flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools.

When the Brother James Miller Program was introduced in 2007, the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for qualifying families was $75,000. For freshmen enrolling in fall 2009, Saint Mary’s will expand the program to include families with up to $100,000 AGI.

Over a four-year period, the estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Program for Access will exceed $50,000 per student. For 2009-10, Saint Mary’s has allocated more than $4,300,000 to fund this program as well as other freshman scholarships and grants.

“We’re excited to offer this guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “The current economic climate is challenging to many families. Some students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools -- even Saint Mary’s, where costs are lower than most Minnesota private colleges. They believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”

Brother William Mann, president, said, “As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary’s tradition is to make quality education accessible and affordable, with special sensitivity to economically challenged families. We’re proud of the quality education SMU offers,” he said, “including the highly individualized attention students receive to better achieve their educational goals. With the expanded Brother James Miller Program for Access, even more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Mary’s.”

The aid program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.

To qualify for the Brother James Miller Program for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2009, have parental adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), have a “B” average, and meet other requirements.

Check www.smumn.edu/access for details, or call SMU Admission at (800) 635-5987.

New Saint Mary's University program brings private college cost within reach

WINONA, Minn. - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has created the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, designed to assist good students in the low- to middle-income range who might not otherwise be able to afford a private college.

Read more.
Saint Mary's guarantees that comprehensive charges for all qualified freshmen enrolling at the Winona campus in fall 2007 will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. (Comprehensive charges include tuition, room, meals and fees). Lower-income families may also qualify for federal and state aid that further reduces their cost.
The 2007-08 overall cost to attend Saint Mary's is $28,528. The University of Minnesota, where costs for next year have not yet been set, was used for a comparable financial guideline as the in-state flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools. The estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access will exceed $45,000 per student over a four-year period. Saint Mary's has allocated an additional $684,000 to fund freshman scholarships and grants in 2007-08.
“We're excited to offer this new guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “Often students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools - even Saint Mary's - because they believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”
Brother Craig J. Franz, Saint Mary's president, added, “We're proud of the quality education SMU offers - including the highly individualized attention students receive to better achieve their educational goals. With the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Mary's.”
As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary's tradition is to make quality education accessible and affordable, with special sensitivity to economically challenged families.
The new scholarship program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary's graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. It was in the latter country - while doing God's work of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized people - that he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.
To qualify for the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2007, have parental adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), be “B” students, and meet requirements specified online at www.smumn.edu/access.
Check the website for more information or call the Office of Admission at (800) 635-5987.