When Higher Education Feels Like a Lost Dream, Students (and their Families) Turn to Cradle 2 Career’s College Readiness Program

C2C’s Community Advocacy Manager

As high school juniors and seniors approach college application season, eager to work toward their next chapter in life, some students face a barrier that others may not: applying for financial aid. In Minnesota, students can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or the MN Dream Act application. Both options help thousands of students secure federal, state, and college-based grants, scholarships, and loans every year. But confusion around requirements, documents, and deadlines, as well as additional steps and information asked of mixed-status families, can influence a student’s decision to even consider higher education. 

Last December, I met a student with this dilemma. A senior at a high school in southern Rochester, Max [name changed for anonymity] had ambitions for college, but when it came time to fill out financial aid applications, he faced overwhelming uncertainty. From what he understood at the time, applications required paperwork that his family couldn’t provide. As a result, Max was convinced he did not qualify for financial aid. But his journey was not over.

Max’s mom, Kathy [name changed for anonymity], was determined to find answers for her son. After spotting a Cradle 2 Career (C2C) post on Facebook, she called us to ask about the paperwork holding Max back. I assured Kathy that we could help. Her question set in motion a highly coordinated effort on the part of C2C and our community partners to support Max and his mom as they tackled the financial application process.

Delivering Resources in Partnership

Meeting with Max and Kathy in computer labs and other spaces provided by Rochester Public Schools, I offered translation services, connected them with resources – including application support events – and reminded them about important documents and deadlines. But I did not work alone. When it came time, College Possible and Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) assisted Max in completing the FAFSA, and Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) helped him finalize and submit it. 

Working in tandem with students and our partners required consistent communication and follow-up to ensure we were on the same page and had all the necessary information to move forward. 

Admittedly, the road wasn’t always smooth. I faced time restraints that, in some cases, prevented me from assisting Max and Kathy immediately, particularly when they required translations. Due to busy schedules, there were also times when they had to wait for our free financial aid application sessions to get support. 

Still, Max persevered, and this determination changed his life. Max just started as a student at RCTC. He and his mom know that if they ever need help in the future, I’m easy to reach. The one message Kathy had to share when I reached out to her recently was, “Thank you for your help, and God bless you.”

Full Circle

C2C and our community partners are not just here to help high school students like Max. We also give guidance to parents (like Kathy), guardians, and other family members. Believe it or not, they aren’t always strangers either. Ten years ago, as a Head Start teacher, I met some of the students and families that I now work to support in their transition to college – including Max’s family! It's great to reconnect and let them know that this community is invested in them fully – from cradle to career.

Our college readiness support doesn’t end after the financial aid application season. Students can get help registering for classes, a service offered by RCTC (regardless of where students are enrolled). That is the power of strong partnerships and collaborative action.

Meeting Students Where They Are

Through this experience, I’ve learned that no two students are alike, and they all have unique challenges. Patience and continuous support are key to building trust and making students feel valued by their community. They see that we won’t give up on them and that they can reach their goals, no matter how difficult it may seem.

Ultimately, we were able to help Max and Kathy, but that same year, another student with similar barriers was not able to complete their financial aid application. They received conflicting information from FAFSA administrators on how to connect and ask questions. This slowed the process considerably. But we will continue working with this student in the coming months to resolve the issue, so they can submit their application and attend college in the future.

Learn More

C2C and our partners have helped 150 people, including high school students, college students, and guardians, get informed about and/or apply for college financial aid. Over the summer, we offered free walk-in sessions, and we will continue to do so in the months to come. For more information, please contact me directly at BethM@c2cmn.com.