Case Study | Training
Connecticut RISE Network
Sherry McLaughlin
Director of Postsecondary Success
Connecticut is among the nation’s leaders in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion—listed in the top 10 states in recent years on the National College Attainment Network’s FAFSA tracker. Given that students who complete the FAFSA before high school graduation are 84% more likely to enroll in college, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) launched the Connecticut FAFSA Challenge in 2021 to accelerate completion rates.
The Connecticut FAFSA challenge is a collaboration among the Governor’s Office, the CSDE, and the Connecticut RISE Network. The Challenge supports traditionally high-poverty high schools in Connecticut whose 12th-grade population has not achieved a 70 percent FAFSA completion rate. Participating schools receive a microgrant, training, access to a community of practice, and other resources.
Training for Challenge Schools
With its experience leading statewide networks, the RISE team was contracted by the CSDE to coordinate FAFSA training for schools participating in the Connecticut FAFSA Challenge. Building on a successful prior initiative with its core network of schools, RISE connected with uAspire to once again bring their FAFSA expertise to Connecticut educators. “Given our prior experience with uAspire, we were excited to have their expertise support the schools participating in the Connecticut FAFSA Challenge,” says Sherry McLaughlin, director of postsecondary success at RISE. “The excellent facilitation and ability to engage educators in a difficult process is second to none. Given their expertise, experience, and professionalism, uAspire was the best partner for this project.”
Accelerated FAFSA Completion
uAspire provided training for Challenge schools in 2022 and 2023 and is scheduled to provide training on the new Better FAFSA. In 2023, 135 counselors and educators, who support 11,319 students, participated. Thirty-seven of the 57 schools in the Challenge met or exceeded the state’s goal of a five-percentage point increase over the previous year’s completion rates. “With the positive survey responses from participants of the uAspire training, I know that uAspire’s training is having an impact,” says Sherry.
“FAFSA completion opens doors to higher education for many students,” says Sherry. “uAspire’s training has allowed for more educators in Connecticut to support students and families with this process and we are grateful. Completing the FAFSA application can open doors and give students opportunities that can transform their futures.”
“One of the most informative workshops I have attended. Super helpful and concise for anyone helping students or for students and parents themselves!”
Engaging Diverse Audiences
The uAspire training provides educators, counselors, and other school staff supporting students in FAFSA completion with varying levels of FAFSA knowledge. “We have teams of educators working with students on FAFSA, and many team members are first-time FAFSA educators,” says Sherry. “uAspire provided foundational concepts for those who were new to this material and a Q and A session for more experienced educators. uAspire supports all levels of educators, which in turn supports students and families.” While many trainings provide time for questions at the end, uAspire embeds opportunities for people to ask questions throughout, so educators can jump in and ask, “what I should I say if I have a student who is asking X?” This approach, says Sherry, helps educators to feel supported.
“I've been working as a college access counselor for low-income families for over 11 years, so I'm pretty critical of other organizations' training because I do my own. However, I'm very, very impressed by uAspire's trainers and content.”
Addressing Complicated Family Circumstances
Educators are guiding students and families with differing circumstances and the uAspire training provides answers to unique and sometimes complicated issues. “For example,” says Sherry, “addressing how to support a student who is documented but perhaps their parents are not, or how to complete the FAFSA if the parents live in a different country? uAspire has the knowledge to answer the questions and give clear direction.”
100% of participants said the content was useful in their work with students and would recommend the training.