The Somos Unidos “ One Word Project" is a student success initiative designed to accelerate mentor training and knowledge to support first-generation students and positively increase student retention and graduation rates. In partnership with the UIW FLIGHT Mentor Center, this project further expands UIWs ability to improve outcomes for first-generation students through curricular and co-curricular programming as well as professional development for faculty and staff. The intent is to create a sense of belonging for our students and methods to help students develop confidence and their own voices, ultimately strengthening retention rates amongst first-generation students. The Somos Unidos “ One Word Project seeks to raise the UIW retention rate to its institutional goal of 75% and close the gap each semester between these underserved populations and all other groups combined.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: First-Generation Celebration Survey
64% of respondents identified as first-generation.
19% of respondents usually tell their classmates they are first generation, while 27% only reveal in relevant situations
63% of respondents felt their was more academic support than expected before starting at the university
The most important services most helpful for first generation students were identified as celebration events, advising support, and financial aid support.
A low awareness of support services for first generation students indicates the need for opportunities for the institution to increase efforts to help first generation students know what supports are available.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Student Success (website to be launched in Fall 2023)

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Monica Ayala Jimenez at monica.jimenez@uiwtx.edu or 210-805-3005

Our St. Thomas Promise is a huge opportunity allowing eligible students to attend at no cost and will change their lives and financial situations! The program is right in line with the University of St. Thomas Catholic mission.

Eligibility Requirements

Incoming, first-time college students with a 3.4 or higher GPA* who are from families with annual incomes of $50,000 or less may take advantage of this offer; OR
Incoming transfer students with a college GPA of 3.5 of higher who are from families with annual incomes of $50,000 or less may take advantage of this offer.

Eligible students must be a Texas resident and must file the FAFSA form and must be eligible for federal and state aid. UST’s FAFSA Code is 003654. This St. Thomas Promise of free tuition also includes free tutorial services plus a student success coach to help ensure a successful transition to college.

The St. Thomas Promise is renewable for up to four years, providing family income remains in the same qualifying range.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Lynda McKendree at mckendla@stthom.edu or 713 525 2151

Student Success Services (SSS) is a TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program’s mission is to help eligible students succeed at Weatherford College (WC), graduate and/or transfer to a university to complete a degree. SSS participants are provided personal academic advising, individual development plans, tutoring and supplemental instruction, financial aid assistance, personal counseling, career advising, transfer assistance through campus tours and cooperative advising with transfer admissions offices, and cultural enrichment. All of these services are provided to WC students at no cost to the student. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at WC, be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and meet one or more of the following requirements: have a family income within federal low-income guidelines, be a first-generation student, or a student with a documented disability.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 152

HOW TO ENROLL: First-Generation, Low-Income or a student with a documented disabilty.

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally and externally collected in the past

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Weatherford College, TRIO-SSS Grant Program

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Maria E Gallegos at maraiza@wc.edu or 817-598-6484

The Tarrant To & Through Partnership aims to ensure more Tarrant County students have the training and skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce. The Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership commits to: 1) Supporting your student on their journey to graduate high school; 2) Helping them create a customized plan for life after high school; 3) Ensuring they complete a degree or credential to attain a meaningful career and living-wage job. When your student takes the T3 Pledge, we'll help them build a customized plan focused on life after high school called a "Postsecondary Success Plan". If eligible, your student will have access to a variety of supports such as: A T3 Last Dollar Scholarship covers any remaining tuition costs after all Pell grants and/or other federal, state, or institutional aid have been applied. In other words, last dollar scholarships cover the gap -- any last dollars needed to cover the student's tuition. The UTA and T3 partnership serves Fort Worth ISD students by offering personalized guidance and programming throughout high school into college, helping students achieve a world class degree. Become a T3 Scholar by completing the T3 Partnership Pledge by the T3 pledge deadline of your senior year of high school. T3 Scholars attending UTA who meet all eligibility requirements will also receive funding covering the cost of classes (tuition) that federal, state, or other institutional grants or scholarships do not.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 4,000

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://t3partnership.org/

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Tarrant To and Through (T3) is a partnership with an MOU agreement with UTA and administered by both Division of Enrollment Management and Division of Student Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Rachael Capua at rcapua@t3partnership.org or (817) 717-3963

Seniors in Texas who attend a public school are now required to complete the FAFSA/TASFA or a waiver as part of their graduation requirements. To support students and families throughout this process, the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) hosts monthly evening FAFSA/TASFA workshops throughout the year at local public schools. A few morning options are also made available throughout the year to maximize participation. During these sessions, UTPB strives to assist students and their parents with completion of the application, discuss possible financial aid and scholarship opportunities for higher education, and counsel students on their financial and admissions needs for college. These sessions are hosted by UTPB’s Admissions and Financial Aid Offices and are come and go, so participants can get the help they need throughout the two-hour time block.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: The data that was collected was a sign-in sheet when students arrived to the event. Of those students, about 54% of them matriculated to UTPB.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Admissions

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Elida Escarcega at escarcega_e@utpb.edu or 432-552-3672

The Angelo State University Veterans Educational and Transitional Services (VETS) Center is responsible for the administration of US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits and supporting the administration of other military service related benefits like tuition assistance and the state of Texas Hazlewood Exemption. It is a team of veterans and university administrators whose secondary missions are taking care of our VETS Center's student clientele, to include their development both academically and personally, as well as providing collaborative assistance in support of our students and the university in general to the other sections of Student Affairs, the Faculty and Academic Affairs Division, the External Affairs Division, and the Finance Division.

The VETS Center endeavors to live up to our university’s core values every day. We expect integrity both from our employees and our student clientele and when shortcomings are identified, we mentor our people on the best ways to do and be better in the future. The military (both those active and those that have completed their contracted service) live in an incredibly diverse environment. This continues in the VETS Center. We work to develop our clientele to be part of an organization, and as a team we care most about what the individual can do to help the team succeed. Higher education is a pathway that can change the future, not just for our students, but their families as well. When our students graduate and move on to their careers, we know we have made an impact on their lives.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 1417

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: The average first-year retention rate of VETS Center students is 68.7%, roughly 12 percentage points higher than that of the overall student body. VETS Center students also have a six-year graduation rate of 57.5%, compared to an institutional average of 37%.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Affiliated Military and Veteran Education Services

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Phillip Nichelson at phillip.nichelson@angelo.edu or 3254866618

CTC will host a new student orientation to help students get acquainted with the campus and the student services it has to offer. Free and open to all new and returning students. Orientation includes:

How to access your classes
What your professors expect of you
Tips on being successful in class
Services and resources available to Eagles
Safety and security
Who to contact if you have questions?
Breakout sessions with professors based on your degree plan where students get to oversee and discuss your career pathway

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is online only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 360

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: www.ctcd.edu/nso

EVALUATION STATUS: No data related to outcomes have been collected from this program

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Life & Activities

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Mariceli N. Santiago Cruz at msantiagocruz@ctcd.edu or 254-526-1259