Upcoming
Using Data to Support Your FAFSA Completion Campaign
Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 11AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators and College Access Professionals
Using data is key to track your FAFSA completion progress and improvement. In this webinar, learn how to utilize two game-changing tools to strengthen your high school’s FAFSA campaign. We review how to access and utilize The Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s FAFSA Student Lookup Portal and Alabama Possible’s Cash for College Data Dashboard. Register here.
Archived
Alabama Goes to College: Campaign and Toolkit Refresher
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 10AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
As we commence the last half of the school year, this workshop reviews the Alabama Goes to College campaign goals, timeline, and outreach resources. We revisit the Educators Toolkit and highlight resources that support a college-going culture. We also hear from educators who share some of the strategies they’re using in their community. Watch the recording here.
Prioritizing College-Going Activities and Graduation Requirements
Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
This community-building conversation focused on the theme of prioritizing college-going activities and graduation requirements. During this session, educators and community leaders connected with their peers about strategies to ensure high school seniors approach graduation with their to-do list checked and their next steps mapped. Community conversations are an opportunity to generate ideas, ask questions, and share experiences.
The Common Black College Application Webinar
Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 10AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
A college application fee may not be the most expensive cost on a student’s journey to postsecondary education, but it is a hurdle that some students can’t get over. While the Common Black College Application allows students nationwide to apply to over 60 member institutions for $20, Alabama students get this feature for free.
In this webinar, Robert Mason, the Founder of the Common Black College Application, will review the application features and process. Watch the recording here.
Navigating Financial Aid for Immigrant Families
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
This workshop discusses financial aid opportunities for immigrant families. We review how citizenship impacts federal aid eligibility and discuss practical steps for completing the FAFSA. We also cover alternative aid options, including scholarships and institutional aid. This webinar highlights resources and strategies that educators can use to have conversations with students and assist them as they pursue postsecondary pathways. Watch the recording here.
Admissions 101 (Part II: Out-of-State) and Scholarships 101
Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
In Part II of this series, college admissions officers from out-of-state institutions will share what they are looking for in an application, including personal statements, transcripts, and extracurricular activities. These insights will guide students who are looking at postsecondary pathways outside of Alabama.
As students and their families seek to minimize the financial burden of college and its associated expenses, scholarships are one way to defray the costs. Scholarship databases are great tools for discovering funding opportunities that are a good match for a student’s background, affiliations, interests, and goals. During this webinar, educators will preview some of the features of various scholarship databases and learn tips for applying. Watch the recording here.
This community-building conversation focused on the theme of creating partnerships in your school and your community. During this session, educators and community leaders connected with peers about the way strategic partnerships can support a college-going culture for high school students. We discussed the importance of engaging all kinds of stakeholders in this work. Community conversations provide an opportunity to generate ideas and share lessons learned.
Cash for College: Advanced FAFSA
Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 10AM
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
Paying for college is a common concern for students and families thinking about education after high school. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a key step in pursuing and affording college. This webinar expands upon our FAFSA 101 webinar to address some of the more complex components of the FAFSA. Educators and community leaders learn about tools and resources that assist students and families in navigating complicated parts of the application. Watching the recording here.
Alabama College Application Week
Date: October 18-22, 2021
Audience: High School Seniors
Alabama College Application Week is a state-wide initiative that is part of the national American College Application Campaign. In collaboration with the Alabama College Application Campaign, high school educators provide college-interested students with individualized support and assistance as they prepare for and complete the college application process, with the goal of every student completing at least one college application. Access the Fee Waiver List here.
Private high schools should report their participation data by completing this survey.
College Admissions 101 (Part I: In-State)
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders
Many students and their families struggle navigating the ever-evolving college admissions process. In this webinar,college admissions officers from in-state institutions share what they are looking for in an application, including personal statements, transcripts, and extracurricular activities. These insights provideupdates on the admissions process so school counselors and career coaches can best advise their students as they pursue various postsecondary pathways. This webinar is Part I of our series focused on admissions. Watch the recording here.
Powerschool Information
Course Number: 273482
Section Number: 418592
Paying for college is a common concern for students and families thinking about education after high school. Cash for College, an initiative of the Alabama Goes to College Campaign, encourages students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a key step in pursuing and affording college. How can educators underscore the importance of this application and promote FAFSA completion in their schools? This webinar provides an overview of how to help students and their families complete a FAFSA. We cover financial aid concepts and review updated steps for completing the financial aid application. We also discuss challenges that students and families face and provide you with resources and tools to make the whole process easier! Watch the recording here.
Join our first community-building conversation focused on the theme of strengthening relationships with the Class of 2022. During this session, educators and community leaders will have the opportunity to connect with peers about ways to support the goals and interests of this senior class. We’ll discuss approaches you’ve been taking to set a positive tone with students on their college-going journey and how you’re engaging families along the way! This conversation is an opportunity to workshop ideas and share lessons learned.
We’re kicking off the college application season with #WhyApply Day, sponsored by American College Application Campaign. This webinar will review upcoming events that support students as they pursue education after high school. Educators will learn more about the Alabama College Application Campaign, which is part of a national effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a postsecondary education credential. Presenters include representatives from the Alabama State Department of Education and American College Application Campaign. Watch the recording here.
2021-22 Alabama Goes to College Campaign Kickoff
Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators
We’re excited to launch the 2021-22 campaign! This workshop will train high school educators to support a college-going culture at their schools. Educators will learn the fundamental elements of the Alabama Goes to College Campaign and its components: Alabama College Application Week, Cash for College (FAFSA completion), and College and Career Decision Day. This workshop will review campaign goals, timeline, and outreach materials and equip educators to access campaign resources. Watch the recording here.
2021 Barriers to Prosperity Data Sheet Webinar
Date: Friday, August 27, 2021
This webinar will enhance your understanding of Alabama Possible’s Barriers to Prosperity Data Sheet and will provide key findings from this year’s edition of the resource. You will also hear from panelists regarding how they use the Data Sheet in their community, classroom, and philanthropic endeavors. Watch the recording here.
Step-by-Step FAFSA Training
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access and Success Professionals
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a key step in pursuing and affording college. Learn how to confidently assist students with this process through our step-by-step FAFSA training. This workshop will take you through the entire application from start to finish while highlighting common misconceptions, addressing tricky scenarios, and imparting counseling tips. To receive professional development hours, please use Course #269477, Section #410294 on PowerSchool. View recording here.
2021 Celebration Day and Professional Development Workshop
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators
Alabama Possible hosted the fifth annual Celebration Day and Professional Development Workshop recognizing educators across the state for enhancing a college-going culture. Alabama Possible, in collaboration with Alabama State Department of Education and Alabama Commission on Higher Education, manages the Alabama Goes to College Campaign which includes Alabama College Application Week, Cash for College: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, and College and Career Decision Day.
On this day, Alabama Possible celebrated high schools for their commitment to postsecondary education. Each winning school received a monetary grant to further a college-going culture. This event also featured the winner of School of Excellence awarded by American College Application Campaign and provided insights on best practices from school counselors and career coaches from winning schools. View recording here.
Using Data to Support Your FAFSA Completion Campaign
Using data is key to track your FAFSA completion progress and improvement. In this webinar, learn how to utilize two game-changing tools to strengthen your campaign, whether it takes place at school or online. We’ll review how to access and utilize The Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s FAFSA Student Lookup Portal and Alabama Possible’s Cash for College data dashboard. View recording here.
2020 Breakfast and Conversation with Ann Florie and Bobbie Knight
November 12, 8AM
Join a virtual “Breakfast & Conversation” featuring Miles College President Bobbie Knight and AnnFlorie, former Executive Director of Leadership Birmingham.As key partners in effecting positive change for students in our state, we will share more about the work and future direction of Alabama Possible as we work to increase postsecondary access and success for all learners.View recording here. To make a gift to the event, click here.
Break It Down: Community Discussion Series
These webinars are an opportunity for you and your neighbors to explore ways to break down barriers to prosperity. During the discussion, Alabama Possible’s team of facilitators will encourage participants to discuss and reflect on the information included in the Barriers to Prosperity Data Sheet 2020.
College Admissions Officers’ Insights into College Applications in a Remote Counseling Environment
Unlocking the College and Career Journey: Tools for 12th Grade Counselors
By incorporating Alabama Possible’s 2020 Barriers to Prosperity Data Sheet into your coursework, you can help your students understand how poverty in Alabama impacts their community. This webinar will discuss how educators can use the data sheet as a teaching tool. View recording here.