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This session will introduce participants to Minnesota State’s newly approved Ability to Benefit (AtB) - State-Defined Process Plan. The plan approved by US DOE is a provision in the Higher Education Act and allows adult learners who have not received a high school diploma/GED to be eligible for Title IV Federal Student aid like Pell grants, as well as Minnesota state financial aid. AtB will support Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 and the State Legislature’s Attainment goals and is designed to reduce barriers between secondary and post-secondary pathways by supporting strong collaboration between colleges and ABEs.

The presentation will be interactive and include the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.

Session’s Objectives:

1. Introducing the purpose of the AtB State Process Plan
2. Learning through stories and examples of other states’ strong and growing AtB programs
3. Describing how Minnesota colleges can take advantage of the AtB State Plan 

ROOM HOSTS: 

• Larry Handlin (will be online hosting Zoom)
• Stephen Kelly (will be in the room)

Join the Zoom Session

Selected as one of ten colleges in the nation to run an academy under the Uniquely Abled Project, non-profit organization, South Central College's Uniquely Abled Academy connects our non-credit customized workforce education department with our credit-based Machine Tool Technology program. This program offers a specialized 12-week academy for young adults with Level I Autism, free for the students and their families, resulting in job placement for all participants. Our session will highlight the local and State-wide problems encountered in setting up the academy, the successes seen by faculty and students, and the connections made with employers and state agencies along the way.

Session Objectives:

1. Identifying opportunities to create non-credit to credit pathways for adult learners typically alienated by higher education. 
2. Providing insight to CTE instructors on how to provide accommodations for students with various learning needs. 
3. Sharing successful connections with state agencies, regional workforce centers, and employer

ROOM HOSTS: 

• Larry Handlin (will be online hosting Zoom)
• Stephen Kelly (will be in the room)
• Phil Arellano (will be in the room)

Helping students succeed requires support programs that go beyond the classroom, serving the needs of the whole student.

While pathways to college have improved, investments in helping
students persist through their education journey continue to lag. The pandemic worsened basic
needs gaps, especially for those from vulnerable communities. Solving this crisis requires innovative
technology and human interaction. We must focus on the needs of the WHOLE student, addressing
issues like mental health, financial insecurity, and college/career navigation, while investing in nonacademic, wraparound supports.

Session Objectives:

1. Participants will learn the basic needs gaps that exist for students, including emergency aid
2. Participants will hear about solutions to these gaps that have enabled students to persist and complete their programs.
3. Participants will learn about students’ need for human interaction in helping them connect with resources. Tech is great but it can’t be the sole delivery method.

ROOM HOSTS: 

• Larry Handlin (will be online hosting Zoom)
• Stephen Kelly (will be in the room)