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Events

Upcoming

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.

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 will learn about tools and resources that assist students and families in navigating complicated parts of the application. Register here.

Archived

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 will share what they are looking for in an application, including personal statements, transcripts, and extracurricular activities. These insights will provide updates 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

Cash for College: FAFSA 101
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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. 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.
Building Relationships with the Class of 2022
Date: Thursday, September 23, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators, College Access Professionals, Community Leaders

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.
Alabama College Application Campaign and #WhyApply Day
Date: Monday, September 13, 2021
Audience: High School Educators and Administrators

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.

Hosting A Virtual Poverty Simulation Experience
Date: May 10 at 4:00PM
Audience: Educators, College Access Professionals, College Success Staff
During this workshop, Dr. Dawn Taylor Peterson from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will share how her institution developed and implemented a virtual poverty simulation experience for students during the COVID pandemic. She will review the website SPENT, a free online poverty experience developed by Urban Ministries of Durham, NC, which was the foundation for the experience. Additionally, she will share how UAB holds live debriefings for the poverty simulation using a virtual conferencing software program and integration with learning management systems. Attendees will be able to ask questions during this informal workshop. View recording here.
Virtual Family FAFSA Nights
Dates: April 19, 20, or 21
Times: 5PM, 6PM, or 7PM (each night)
Audience: Students and Families
These 3 nights provide virtual assistance with completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! Each one-hour session on Zoom will provide step-by-step guidance through the application.
Virtual FAFSA Completion Trainings
Dates: April 1, 6, or 8
Audience: Educators, College Access Professionals, College Success Staff
Hosted by Alabama Possible and Get2College, these trainings cover every aspect of the FAFSA completion process from discussing misconceptions that students and families commonly have about the FAFSA, to FSA ID creation and troubleshooting, to using the demo-site to complete the FAFSA while highlighting counseling tips to share with students in the FAFSA appointment. This opportunity is for educators and college access professionals to deepen their knowledge on the process of applying for federal financial aid. Register for a session below:
Thursday, April 1: 11AM-1PM
Tuesday, April 6: 4-6PM
Thursday, April 8: 2-4PM
Alabama CAN Spring Conference
March 25 at 9:00AM
In support of Alabama’s Success Plus goal of adding 500,000 individuals with valuable postsecondary credentials to the state’s workforce by 2025, Alabama Possible launched Alabama College Attainment Network (Alabama CAN) in October 2020. The founding members of the network are Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Alabama Community College System, and Alabama State Department of Education with Alabama Possible providing the backbone support. Thursday, March 25, 2021, Alabama CAN is hosting a conference focused on the transition from high school to and through postsecondary education. The theme of the conference is “Connecting Learning to Earning from K-12 to College and Beyond” with presentations spanning over a variety of topics: Postsecondary Access, Postsecondary Success, Equity and Opportunity, Workforce Development.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in the College-Planning Process
February 25 at 11AM
The college search and application process can be particularly daunting for students with marginalized identities. This webinar covers ways you can support LGBTQ+ students as they pursue postsecondary pathways. Panelists from the Magic City Acceptance Center and UAB’s Student Multicultural & Diversity Programs discuss tips and resources for a positive postsecondary experience. View recording here.
College Admissions Process Navigation During Remote Learning
February 4 at 11AM
This webinar is a panel discussion where representatives from admissions offices speak to some of the most common questions educators have when navigating the admissions process. In addition, they share important insights and suggestions into the admissions process that will equip educators to adapt to remote and socially distanced college counseling practices and create focused tools for their students to apply to college. View recording here.
Navigating Financial Aid for Immigrant Families
January 29 at 11PM
In this webinar, we discuss postsecondary financial aid options for immigrant families. We examine eligibility for federal financial aid and review practical issues on the FAFSA, like how to complete the form when a student’s parents are undocumented. The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!) and the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority join Alabama Possible to cover several resources to assist you in supporting your students. View recording here.
Unlocking the College and Career Journey: Tools for 12th Grade Educators (Recap)
January 14 at 2PM
During this virtual professional development experience, we review the Alabama Goes to College Educators Toolkit. The toolkit offers easy-to-use assets and templates for educators who want to build a college-going culture. View recording here.

Using Data to Support Your FAFSA Completion Campaign

December 3, 11AM

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.

Advanced FAFSA
November 5 at 11AM
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 will learn about tools and resources that assist students and families in navigating complicated parts of the application. View recording here.

Break It Down: Community Discussion Series

November 4 at 6PM: Dallas County Cooperative Extension
October 27 at 6PM: North Alabama
October 22 at 6PM: The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
October 20 at 6PM: Troy University’s Office of Civic Engagement
October 13 at 6PM: Phi Theta Kappa Chapter of Northwest-Shoals Community College
October 8 at 6PM: Washington County Public Library

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

October 15 at 4PM
Many low-income and first-generation college-going students and their families struggle navigating the college admissions process. Alabama Possible is hosting a webinar in collaboration with college admissions officers who will share what they are looking for in an application, including personal statements, transcripts, and extracurricular activities. These insights will equip students and their families, as well as educators, to adapt to remote and socially distanced counseling practices and create focused tools to apply to college. View recording here.
Alabama College Attainment Network Launch
October 7 at 11AM
We are pleased to launch the Alabama College Attainment Network (ACAN) in support of the Success Plus goal of adding 500,000 highly-skilled employees to the workforce in Alabama by 2025. In order to coordinate initiatives and accelerate change, education and workforce organizations have formed this statewide network focused on the transition from high school to and through postsecondary education and into the workforce. With the launch of ACAN, Alabama joins more than 20 other states with networks that strengthen the linkages between K-12, postsecondary education, and employers. View recording here.
FAFSA 101
September 30 at 11AM
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. How can educators promote FAFSA completion in the midst of a pandemic? This webinar will provide an overview of how to help students and their families complete a FAFSA, including tools for remote and in-school learning environments. We’ll cover different types of financial aid and review updated steps for completing the financial aid application. We’ll also discuss challenges such as addressing changes in families’ financial circumstances and providing verification documentation. View recording here.

Unlocking the College and Career Journey: Tools for 12th Grade Counselors

September 9 at 2PM
August 19 at 10AM
During this virtual professional development experience, you will learn about the new Alabama Goes to College Outreach Toolkit. The toolkit offers easy-to-use assets and templates for educators who want to raise awareness for college access initiatives. View toolkit demo here.
Break It Down: How to Use the Barriers to Prosperity Data Sheet as an Educator
June 24 at 10AM

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.