To and former foster, homeless, and independent youth as they strive to attain higher education while them to sustain and succeed in becoming productive members of society.

Former VP of Student Affairs and the Director of the University College Advising Center wanted to form an outreach program for these populations

Began as an effort to pull together the resources already at the university and package them in a way that better serves the needs of this population.

Youth aging out of foster care

Former foster youth

Homeless and at-risk of homelessness youth

Independent status youth

*Note: Most are identified through our community partnerships and FAFSA reports.

Lack of familial support or adequate mentor Need for Financial Aid Need for year-round housing Counseling support Employment concerns Need for individual attention Need for healthcare

Office of Admissions

Housing and Residential Life

Financial Aid

Academic Advising

Student Support Services

…joined forces to help ease the transition.

The first place to start the quest for higher education is the Admissions Office.

◦ Students self-identify or are referred by academic advisors to Next Step liaisions.

◦ Process of Financial Aid and Housing begins here.◦ Campus tours can also be arranged.

Available to enrolled students continuously throughout the year, including semester breaks and holiday periods

Payment plans/waivers

Priority placement

Grants, loans, scholarships, pay for housing? Work study program

Encompasses many different tasks

◦Course selection◦Troubleshooting◦Mentor assignments◦Career counseling◦Overall open-door policy

Participants qualify for application into this grant-funded program

Services offered include:◦Free tutoring◦Cultural events◦Computer lab access◦Free workshops/seminars◦Food pantry◦Counseling services◦Scholarship/Grant Assistance

TN Department of Children’s Services

Youth Villages

R-Connection

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

… Just to name a few.

Mentors are current students from similar backgrounds

Many made the transition on their own before the program began

Students seem to identify and relate more to our mentors

Little to no operating budget◦ A program within an advising center◦ Rely on donations from other campus offices

Low student involvement◦ Resistance to a “program”

Low retention rates among new students◦ Consistent with research

Kim SnellATLAS Liaison

Rutherford County Schools615-893-5812

snellk@rcs.k12.tn.us

Becca Seul, MS, CFLEMiddle Tennessee State University

Next Step Program coordinator615-898-2339

rseul@mtsu.edu