Division of Extension Positive Youth Development Educators shared information about Juntos last February, UW-Madison Division of Extension which included planning a series of three pre-college educational sessions specifically tailored to the needs of Latinx youth in Wisconsin.  The series was conducted primarily in Spanish with simultaneous translation.  Here are the topics:

• March – Financial Planning for Higher Education and Interpreting Student Aid – Jocelyn Diaz-Valdez works in the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid presented the basics of applying for financial aid and interpreting aid offers from FAFSA applications
• April – Education Options After High School – Admissions staff with experience in technical colleges and universities shared the general admissions process as well as what needs to be done before graduation to make sure that students are as successful as possible
• May – Student Life – A panel of current Latinx college students provided a view of what to expect from college and some of the lessons they learned navigating higher education.  Participants will get a chance to ask questions to the panel

For a limited period of one month, these recordings will be available.  You can access those recordings here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16IJAoNHecVmw76pDAsjLkgZIh-mFBgS7

Key Takeaways:

• There are many ways to afford college and that there are people out there that are ready and willing to help.
• Undocumented and mixed statues families still have several options for making college affordable
  • Loans are one option to pay, but many students also qualify for grants, scholarships, and work study programs that don’t need to be repaid
• The FAFSA is an important tool for understanding financial aid options and is available to students who are US citizens, even if their parents are not citizens

• Options for education are not all the same and require different levels of time and cost to attain including apprenticeships, certificates, technical diplomas, and 2-4 year degrees.
• There are many options to help any student attend the school that is right for them
• There are many classes and programs that current high school students can do now to prepare them for college
• Parents and family play a crucial role in supporting a student’s success by
  • Asking questions (Did you do your homework? Did you turn in the Project?)
  • Staying aware of opportunities available to your child
  • Planning a visit to the university or college
  • Maintaining good communication with teachers, counselors, etc.

Resources Provided:

• https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa FAFSA
• https://financialaid.wisc.edu/types-of-aid/tuition-promise/ Economic support for families that make less than $60,000 a year
• https://financialaid.wisc.edu/types-of-aid/badger-promise/ Economic support for first generation students
• https://financialaid.wisc.edu/types-of-aid/fastrack/ Strategies to combine economic support options
• https://gradready.com/sponsor/wisc Budgeting
• https://wisc.academicworks.com/ Scholarships
• https://lookforwardwi.gov/ Scholarships
• https://www.wisconsin.edu/transfer/School Selection
• https://uwm.edu/robertohernandezcenter Support Services
• UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid al 608-262-3060.

Thank you for continuing to inform our process so that the content is the most relevant it can be.  We look forward to our delivery model returning to options that increase youth and family engagement.  Please reach out with questions or recommendations.  I was reminded already that September is just around the corner with the following learning opportunity: “Your Guide to the College Process” https://mailchi.mp/c18bac740fc4/fall-2020-publications-new-online-application-5340745?e=474a40e518

Positive Youth Development wishes you all a great end to what was a very challenging year.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed. A special thank you to La Voz de Beloit for a series of video interviews to further explain this opportunity.

Continue to check our website for resources https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/juntoswisconsin/

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