College Success Network – PHENND

Webinar: PA FAFSA GO! Best Practices for FAFSA Awareness & Completion – Aug 31

hillarya — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:57:48 +0000

Please join us for a statewide webinar focused on key practices to access financial aid in Pennsylvania and support financial wellness for our postsecondary students.

Description and Goals: Meet statewide organizations behind the PA FAFSA Go! collaborative and get support for your students and families to access state and federal financial aid for postsecondary programs in PA . Understand recent legislation that requires graduating PA high school seniors to be informed about the opportunities of FAFSA with support to complete, or opt-out. Learn from peer colleagues’ best practice FAFSA initiatives, gain access to resources available, and get connected to practical support in your community!

Date and Time: Monday, August 31, 2026, 1:00–2:30 PM

Learn more and register.

PHEAA Webinar: Deep Dive into Covering the Gap – May 19

hillarya — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:49:08 +0000

It’s crunch time. The semester bill has arrived—and the deadline to pay is approaching quickly. The bill’s format may look different from the financial aid offer you received earlier, and you may be wondering what costs aren’t included on that bill. What happened to your Federal Work‑Study award? Are there additional expenses you should be planning for? Will you need to borrow—and if so, how much and through which loan programs?

Join members from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for a webinar that will walk you through these questions and more. Together, we’ll take a deep dive into Covering the Gap—helping you understand remaining costs, explore available loan options, and make informed decisions about how to finance your semester.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM

Learn more and register.

Webinar: Youth In Care Transitioning to College – Financial and Transition Support – May 5

hillarya — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:57:35 +0000

Are you working with youth in care who want to get a college degree? Then this webinar is for you! Please join us for an important encore presentation on how foster youth can get a post-secondary education tuition-free and the issues they need to consider during the critical transition period between high school and college. Learn how you can support them as they navigate the financial aid process and prepare for college. This event is great for high school youth in care, resource parents, and anyone who supports or works with foster youth.

Information will be provided on college entitlements including the PA Tuition Waiver (FosterED) and the Chafee grant for the 2026 – 2027 academic year as well as challenges students face and supports that are available before they enter college and once they are enrolled to help them be successful on their educational journeys.

Date and Time: May 5, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 12:00-12:30 PM optional Q & A

Learn more and register.

Informational flyer.

Zoom Event: Supporting Immigrant Students in Uncertain Times: Tools for College Access Professionals – Apr 16

hillarya — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:05:04 +0000

Supporting immigrant students has become increasingly complex as shifting immigration policies, heightened enforcement, and widespread uncertainty cause many young people to question whether college is still within reach.

Join the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable (PCPR) and leaders from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration for tools and strategies to better support undocumented, DACA‑eligible, refugee, and other immigrant students on their path to college.

Date and Time: Thursday, April 16, 2026, 9:00-11:00 PM

For more information, and to register for the Zoom link, please click here.

PHEAA Webinar: 2026-07 FAFSA Completion – Apr 21

hillarya — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:41:35 +0000

Our FREE workshop provides hands on FAFSA Completion for college-bound students and their parents.

Do you want one on one support with completing the 2026-27 FAFSA?

Join us for virtual one-on-one assistance during our FAFSA Completion Workshop from 5:00 to 7:00 PM (ET) on April 21.

Learn more and register.

PHEAA Webinar: Financial Aid Overview for 2026-27 Academic Year – May 7

hillarya — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:36:21 +0000

This event will feature a guest speaker from PHEAA. The webinar provides an overview of the new and changing process to apply for financial aid beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. During this presentation, we will discuss higher education costs, the types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid. There will be time available to address Q&A after the presentation.

Date and Time: Thursday, May 7, 2026, 6:30-8:00 PM

PHEAA Webinar: Borrowing for Higher Education – May 7

hillarya — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:31:29 +0000

You’ve chosen schools, filed your FAFSA and Pennsylvania State Grant Form, searched for scholarships, and reviewed your college costs. After calculating your funding gap, you may find that loans are necessary. But what should you do next?

Join PA Forward’s Account Executives for a webinar on student loan options. They will explain the various federal and private education loan programs, review the pros and cons of each, and help you make informed borrowing decisions. PA Forward’s Account Executives will answer your questions to help you choose the best options for you and your family.

Date and Time: Thursday, May 7, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Learn more and register.

2026 College Prep Workshops, Free Library of Philadelphia

hillarya — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:11:36 +0000

The Free Library is excited to announce a new series of free college prep workshops!

In partnership with The Alexander Advantage, select Free Library locations is hosting programs for college-bound high school students and their families.

Offered workshops include Scholarships 101; FAFSA Completion; College Fit and Planning; SAT Prep Sessions for Math, Writing, and Reading; and Proctored Practice SAT Exams.

Learn more and sign up.

Zoom Event: Organizing Adults: An Essential Element of School Redesign – Mar 26

hillarya — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:42:09 +0000

The fourth and final virtual Innovations in School Redesign seminar, sponsored by the Everyone Graduates Center in collaboration with the GRAD Partnership, features practitioners sharing groundbreaking work around a final essential driver of successful school redesign as identified by the Cross-State High School Redesign Consortium: organizing adults in the school community. This follows on prior seminars which highlighted keeping student perspectives at the center; building capacity in teaching and learning; and redesigning supports for multiple postsecondary pathways.

Join us as innovators from the following organizations share their work as a springboard for discussion and participant engagement:

Sendero Prep Charter School, Las Cruces, NM
Gwinnett County Schools, Gwinnett County, GA

Date and Time: March 26, 2026, 2:00 – 3:15 PM

SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program – Jun 2

hillarya — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:41:45 +0000

We provide financial assistance, intensive case management, peer support, and leadership opportunities for students who have experienced homelessness to help them get to and through college, build their career, and create a strong foundation for their future. This program is for students who have experienced homelessness in the last six years and are starting college for the first time in the 2027–2028 academic year at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade school. It also includes, high school juniors, high school seniors planning to take a gap year, and students earning a GED who plan to start college in 2027–2028. Our program begins working with students one year before they start college to provide intensive college readiness support.

Deadline to apply is June 2, 2026.

Learn more.

Volunteers Needed: I AM PHL Student Summit – May 2

hillarya — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:34:09 +0000

We are thrilled to invite you to volunteer at this year’s I AM PHL Student Summit on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls Campus! As we celebrate Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary, this event is all about empowering students to use their voices and creativity to make an impact.

Volunteer shifts from10:00am to 4:00pm; Event runs 11:00am to 3:00pm. Please RSVP by April 1st by filling out our quick volunteer intake form HERE. Keep an eye out for a calendar invite for a quick virtual logistics check-in the week of the event.

Webinar: Youth In Care Transitioning to College – Financial and Transition Support – Mar 26

hillarya — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:42:27 +0000

The School District of Philadelphia found that 40% of seniors from the class of 2024 who intended to enroll in college did not actually show up on campus in the fall. This highlights the difficulties that Philly students face in the transition period between high school and college. Young people in foster care are especially vulnerable to summer melt.

Join us for an important webinar on how youth in foster care can get post-secondary education tuition-free and how you can support them during the critical transition period between high school and college. This event is great for youth in care (grades 9^th – 12^th), resource parents, and anyone who supports or works with foster youth.

Information will be provided on college entitlements including the PA Tuition Waiver (FosterED) and the Chafee grant as well as what challenges students and adults face and what supports are available before youth enter college and while they are enrolled to help them be successful on their educational journeys.

Date and Time: Thursday, March 26, 11 AM – 12 PM; 12 to 12:30 PM, optional Q & A

Informational flyer.

College Access & Success Ecosystem (CASE) Spring Meeting on Summer Melt – Mar 24

hillarya — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:25:27 +0000

Join for the CASE spring convening at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for Business & Industry (Conference Room C3-05) to learn, network, and plan to collectively reduce summer melt.

We are pleased to be joined by Katharine Meyer, Fellow in Governance Studies at Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings to speak on the topic of Summer Melt.

Date and Time: March 24, 2026, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Community College of Philadelphia, 1751 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Learn more and register.

I AM PHL 2026 Contest & Student Summit – May 2

hillarya — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:20:11 +0000

Now in its fifth consecutive year running, I AM PHL 2026 Contest & Student Summit, presented by PhillyGoes2College (powered by PEF) in partnership with Wawa Welcome America and sponsored by Campus250 and Thomas Jefferson University, celebrates student expression through music, visual art, and spoken word.

I AM PHL recognizes that Philadelphia’s high school students are rich in talent, perspective, and creativity – and invites students to submit original works in one of three categories – music, visual art, or spoken word – that reflect on where the city has been and where it is going next.

Winners of each category will receive one-of-a-kind prizes, including a $1,000 case prize, showcase opportunities tied to the 250th celebrations, and industry mentorship across creative and financial sectors. An additional $1,000 will be awarded to the category winner who best shares how they would invest the prize money to support their future.

Students can get a head start on their contest entries, connect with career professionals in each category, and enjoy live performances, workshops, and community engagement at the I AM PHL Student Summit event on Saturday, May 2 from 11:00am – 3:00pm at Jefferson University’s East Falls Campus.

Students interested in submitting to this contest won’t want to miss this energizing mix of arts programming, career exploration, and community-building — all aligned to Philadelphia’s growing creative ecosystem.

Submission Deadline: May 26, 2026

I AM PHL Contest & Summit Details.

Become a sponsor of the I AM PHL Contest & Summit.

Educator and Counselor Resources for Supporting Students.

Zoom Event: Preparing Students for What’s Next: PHEAA & PDE Briefing – Feb 19

hillarya — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:33:19 +0000

Join the PCPR Network for a timely statewide update featuring representatives from PDE and PHEAA. This session will unpack the latest developments shaping college access in Pennsylvania, including key highlights from the newly adopted PA State Board of Higher Education Strategic Plan, focused on statewide coordination to advance postsecondary attainment, affordability, and workforce alignment.

Participants will also receive updates on Universal FAFSA implementation, Affordability and Transparency PA Act 69 of 2024 cost, aid, and exit counseling provisions, Workforce Pell, state grant changes, new borrower requirements, and emerging tools designed to support students and families. Expect a clear, actionable overview that equips counselors, advisors, and college access professionals to guide students confidently through the evolving postsecondary landscape.

Date and Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 9:00-11:00 AM

Learn more and register.

FAFSA Pop Up Event – Feb 11

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:16:10 +0000

The School District of Philadelphia is hosting several FAFSA completion pop–up events to support students and their families in completing financial aid applications.

The next pop–up event will be hosted at The Constance Clayton Education Center, 440 N Broad Street on Wednesday, February 11th, 4:00-7:00 PM.

Please note: This event is for 12th graders and their families

Informational flyer.

PA Student Aid Guide 2026-2027

hillarya — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:04:33 +0000

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Over the years, PHEAA has become one of the nation’s leading providers of student financial aid services, offering the Pennsylvania-based PA Forward Student Loan Program and Keystone Student Loans, available to students and families in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. PHEAA also serves millions of students through guaranty, servicing, financial aid processing, and other programs.

Need Money for College, but Confused by Financial Aid? Our Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide has the answers. This guide provides a complete overview of the financial aid process, with information on most of Pennsylvania’s financial aid programs and services. Find everything you need to know about paying for higher education.

Learn more.

Virtual Event: It Takes a Village: FAFSA + Taxes – Feb 17

hillarya — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:41:11 +0000

Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 17th at 6:00 PM, to learn about why your taxes are important to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid). Experts will explain parts of the FAFSA that require tax information, and you’ll be connected with free tax prep resources. This workshop is designed to help YOU plan for the FAFSA and ensure access to financial aid. We’ll also have a raffle for a free laptop.

Register now to get your taxes ready for the FAFSA! The Zoom link will be available after registering and in confirmation emails.

Informational flyer.

PHENND College Success Network Webinar: Breaking Down Silos, Fostering Collaboration: the Catto Scholars Departmental Badging Project – Feb 25

hillarya — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:04:22 +0000

How many of us who work in higher ed, larger community-based organizations or schools have complained that departmentally speaking, the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing? Often we feel like “those guys” just don’t get it and are not helpful in the ways we need them to be.

Staff at the Catto Scholarship program at the Community College of Philadelphia decided to be proactive about this phenomenon and have created a departmental badging system to help address it. This system includes a series of trainings for members of the institution to learn more about different departments and become subject matter experts to better support CCP students.

Come hear how the idea came to be, initial staff reactions and what has been learned in the process. Bring your questions and your own examples of how your organization has supported better collaboration among programs and departments.

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1:00-2:30 PM

Frame Your Degree: How to Avoid Pain While Seeking a College Degree

hillarya — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:28:23 +0000

Are you a member of a majority, minoritized or marginalized group, ready to face the unique challenges of university life? Meet Veronica Carey, PhD – your ultimate guide to navigating the complex world of higher education.

Dr. Carey, an Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEi) at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, is a passionate advocate for students like you. With over 20 years of experience, she’s here to share her expertise and empower you on your journey to scholastic success.

Frame Your Degree is a compassionate, informative, and practical guide tailored to help you thrive in higher education. Through personal stories, case studies, and easy-to-understand research, this book will inspire you to create an inclusive environment where your unique identity can shine. The book is is available by most vendors including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Audible, and Spotify.

Dr. Carey is also available for book signings. Email her at vdc22@drexel.edu.