Being Academically Underprepared

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are experiencing low retention rates with first generation college students. The students are not graduating within a four to six year enrollment period, and or are not returning after their freshmen year. As the American workforce looks to colleges and universities to fulfill the workforce pipeline with educated diverse workers, HBCUs are in the spotlight to produce qualified minority graduates. Moreover, HBCU’s are looking to refine their methods of inclusion and buy-in, this will in-turn manifest a higher level of retention amongst first generation college students.

Finally, the most difficult challenge students face in college is a financial hardship. Many students come from various walks of life and sometimes determining one’s financial capability to offset college costs during the early stages of can be problematic. Some students come from well to do families who have a tremendous capacity to pay full tuition without external assistance. These particular students do not require financial aid or scholarships, as they can meet the institution’s financial requirement regardless of what level in college they may fall under as the source of wealth is derived from the family or families. Other students, however, come from impoverished families whom solely depend on financial aid and work full time or part time

The office I currently work in is the financial aid office at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). CNM is a two-year institution. After reviewing the seven inventories, I have discovered that there is so much outside the financial aid office that takes place to insure student success. A common misconception is that all learning outcomes are the responsibility of faculty. All departments can use these principals across the institution. As stated by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators [NASPA], (n.d.), “They are intended to shape how we think about our responsibilities, communicate our purposes to others, and engage students” (para. 14).

The number of students using these campus resources is growing every semester. Although many students on campus are willing to use these services, their availability is limited. Students are often discouraged to use these resources due unavailability of appointments, and long wait times. In order to increase the efficiency of these facilities and to uphold to their mission of helping students reach their full academic potential, I purpose to research several strategies that will increase the accessibility of these resources to a larger student population. Specifically, I purpose to increase the number of locations at which these facilities provide their services, recruit more staffs and increase their

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

Regardless of the type of institution, retention is one of the biggest issues that colleges encounter with the Hispanic/Latino population. The question has been posed for quite some time: What can colleges do to, not only keep these students on campus, but also to prepare them for the challenges they may face when transferring to a four-year school? Various programs on college campuses across the state of California have been implemented in the past couple of decades to help address this question. The existence of such programs, like Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), contribute to the academic success of the

According to Castleman, Benjamin, and Lindsay (400), the requiring obligations of learning like purchasing of learning materials like books and other provisions like food and other necessities has made several States to give support to the overwhelmed students. The forms of the assistance include the merit-based scholarships and the need-grants as well as the student loans (Finnie 297). While the main aim of the financial aids is to meet the financial needs of the students severally, it has been insufficient due to the increasing number of

Many programs are targeted to support members of minority, low income, disabled, or first generation students (Kezar, 2000). The main focus of most programs is to give disadvantaged students the same chance of graduating as non-minority students (Ohland & Crockett, 2002). Several common factors play a role in impeding minority acclimation into the college environment, which include: a lack of academic preparation, a lack of peers with common characteristics, and financial need

The U.S. government has created a new strategy to make colleges more affordable for low income students. Federal student aid’s primary goal is to help as many students attend college as possible. Financial aid and Pell Grants help low income students who meet certain academic criteria cover the costs of tuition. Low income students are getting a chance to attend college and increase graduation rates from four-year institutions to help close the poverty gap. Colleges and universities should make low income high school students aware of programs that will help them enroll and afford their education. Schools teach low income students that college is a key to their financial independence and a better life. High schools teach Seniors that in order to improve your social standing, employment options and salary expectations, a college education is often necessary. Financial aid is central to the successful enrollment and retention of low-income students. The majority of these students (90 percent) getting financial assistance from government. By maximizing Pell grant award amounts for low-income students, reforming the student loan program, and eliminating bank subsidies, colleges and universities can be affordable.

The goal of TRIO Student Support Services is to help participants have a successful college experience and achieve their academic and personal goals. The program serves 180 Pulaski Tech students who qualify for services. Students must be first-generation college students (neither parent has a baccalaureate degree), meet income requirements based on family size and/or have a documented disability. The Identification/recruitment process for the TRIO Student

Perhaps, the biggest concern among Miami Dade College students is the lack of consistency and uniformity in the student services the center provides, like Financial Aid, Advisement and Admission Services. Students report that this existing division is preventing them from making decisions on time and achieving their goals. Even though new students are required to meet with an advisor right after admission, they do not always find help. Only a small number of these students report having their IEP created by an advisor in the institution. Many of them have to resort to the institutions where they plan to transfer after completing their degree, or rely on the experience of their friends to map out a plan of study. As the result of miscommunication, students often have to come

High School was and still is a really confusing period of my life. I’m still confused actually, like this paper is baffling (even with all the help). To be honest, half the time I had no idea what I was doing, and I just winged it. The way I see it, it’s ridiculous that teenagers are expected to go from high school to college in such a small window of time. This book made me feel wholly unprepared for college, both in what I did during the last three years, as well as what this year holds as far as applications. I’m also scared of what is going to happen once I get to college.

Conclusion: In conclusion it is evident that student retention is dependent on the personal success of

Many colleges and universities throughout the United States and several other countries face a common problem. Student retention is a growing problem across the nation for all ethnic groups and all ages. Each individual who chooses to drop out of school has their own personal reasons as to why they do. However, many drops out can be completely avoided. When students drop out they are not clearly thinking about how it’s going to affect their future, the future of their children and even grandchildren. Although there are several reasons as to why students drop out of school, we will be exploring a few as it relates to why student retention is a growing problem.

     A student needs every means of support available to ensure that they succeed and prosper in the