Staff Reference Guide For

FYE/Palomar Promise 2017-2018

Contact Information

Phone: (760)744-1150, ext. 3931 firstyearexperience@palomar.edu

Rev. 3-15-17

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Contents

Section 1: Program overview

Section 2: Eligibility and services

Section 3: Eligible schools

Section 4: Steps to apply

Section 5: How to apply guide

Section 6: Application screenshots

Section 7: Guide to transferring calls

Section 8: FAQs

Section 9: Program flyer

Section 10: FYE/Palomar Promise Student Success Agreement

Section 11: Summer Bridge Flyer

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Section 1: Program overview About FYE First-Year Experience (FYE) is a year-long college program focused on providing first-year students with the services and support needed to transition successfully to college. The program encourages academic achievement, social integration, and personal success with the assistance of a strong support network of peers, staff, and faculty. Students participate in an orientation and receive individual college planning and financial aid application assistance, referrals to college resources, mentoring, and tutoring support; they participate in academic enrichment, career, and social activities throughout the year as well. FYE Mission The philosophy of the First-Year Experience program is to empower and support students in their goal of obtaining higher education. The program creates mechanisms which help students understand the college process. By fostering partnership with faculty, staff, and support services the program seeks to enhance retention of all first-year students. The First-Year Experience program values individuality and diversity, and recognizes that students enter college with varying knowledge and goals. The program is committed to assist students to gain and maintain motivation, and to complete set goals.

The Palomar Promise

The Palomar Promise is designed to provide graduating high school seniors in our K-12 public school districts with access to an affordable higher education and to increase college-going and completion rates in our North San Diego County service area.

Through a combination of free financial aid resources and academic support services, WE PROMISE to assist our students to enroll in college, stay on track to complete their academic and career development goals, and upon graduation from Palomar College either enter the workforce or transfer to the four-year college or university of their choice.

Palomar Promise

The Palomar Promise offers one year of free enrollment, text book support, and access to specialized counseling and academic support services to entering students who graduate from an eligible high school in the Palomar College service area. Entering Promise students will be required to join the First-Year Experience program and meet other eligibility criteria in order to receive financial support from the Palomar Promise.

Palomar Promise Plus

The Palomar Promise+ program is offered in partnership with the San Marcos Promise and the San Marcos Unified School District. The Palomar Promise+ program provides up to two years of financial support while attending Palomar College, plus up to two additional years of financial support if a student transfers to California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM). This program is only available to high school graduates of the San Marcos Unified School District who earn a 2.5 grade point average while in high school and meet other eligibility criteria. (See section 3 for eligible schools for Palomar Promise+ and Palomar Promise programs.)

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Section 2: Eligibility and services

Promise Eligibility FYE Eligibility • Graduate in 2017 from an eligible high

school within the Palomar College district service area. Palomar Promise website has a list of eligible high schools

• Complete your FAFSA or California Dream Act application, and Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOGW)

• Enroll full-time (a minimum of 12 units) per semester throughout your first-year

• Complete the FYE/Palomar Promise application

• Agree to the terms of the FYE/Palomar Promise Student Success Agreement

• FYE is open to “all incoming freshmen” with less than 15 units completed

• Apply to Palomar College for fall semester

• Graduate from high school, or are at least 18 years of age

Promise Benefits and Services FYE Benefits and Services • Free tuition for fall and spring • Up to $500 in textbook assistance for fall

and spring semesters during first year • Health fees and parking permit for fall

and spring semester • All of the benefits that are included in

being part of the FYE program

• Priority registration for the first year • Registration and financial aid application

assistance • Academic and career counseling,

including priority access to counselors • Special events to become familiar with

the Palomar campus, student services, and resources

• Individualized educational planning • Academic enrichment, career, and social

activities throughout the year • Opportunity to meet new people and

form lasting friendships

Contact Info Contact Info

General Inquiries: 760-744-1150 x3931 Promise Financial Aid Eligibility: x2164 www.palomar.edu/palomarpromise Francisca Gonzalez is contact in Financial Aid for Palomar Promise x2371 fgonzalez@palomar.edu

760-744-1150 x3931 www.firstyearexperience@palomar.edu www.palomar.edu/fye Gabriel Sanchez- FYE Coordinator x3635 gsanchez@palomar.edu

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Palomar Promise Plus

Eligibility Prior to graduation students must complete the following items:

1. Students will graduate from SMUSD with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA AND place into transferable level Math1, English and Reading per the Palomar College placement process. [1]

2. Students will be required to complete the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application by the federal deadlines each school year.

3. Students will be required register at Palomar College as a full-time student (12 units or more per semester) for the fall semester immediately following their SMUSD high school graduation.

4. Successful completion of Palomar Pathways – A series of tasks, which need to be completed during the senior year to satisfy all Palomar College entrance requirements and to prepare for successful transition to Palomar College.

To maintain eligibility students must maintain the following criteria:

5. Full-time status, a 2.5 overall GPA and be continuously enrolled as a Palomar student to receive funding each semester.

6. Complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act application by the federal deadline each year 7. Upon successful completion of all CSU transfer requirements within three years from the time

of graduation, students transferring to CSU San Marcos may apply to the San Marcos Promise to receive the PACE Promise Scholarship, a total value of $2,000 over two years.

8. Students must complete a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per academic year to represent as a Palomar Promise Scholar with either The San Marcos Promise (TSMP), SMUSD, Palomar College and/or community events as communicated through TSMP staff.

Award Palomar Promise+ scholars will receive up to $600/semester or $1,200/year in tuition assistance for up to two-years while attending Palomar College. Awards are not based on household income or financial need. These awards are only available to 2017 high school graduates of SMUSD.

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Section 3: Eligible schools

Eligible Promise Schools The goal is to add more schools as the program grows. Below is a list schools that are included in the inception of the program:

1. Bonsall High School 2. Borrego Springs High School 3. Del Lago Academy 4. Del Norte High School 5. Escondido High School 6. Fallbrook High School 7. Julian High School 8. Mission Hills High School** 9. Mission Vista High School 10. Mt. Carmel High School 11. Orange Glen High School 12. Poway High School 13. Ramona High School 14. Rancho Bernardo High School 15. Rancho Buena Vista High School 16. San Marcos High School** 17. San Pasqual High School 18. Valley Center High School 19. Vista High School 20. Warner Junior/Senior High School 21. Westview High School

** Eligible graduates from Mission Hills and San Marcos High Schools may be eligible for Palomar Plus. There are components of the Palomar Promise Plus that are still being finalized. More information will be out soon.

++ Eligible graduates from Twin Oaks and Foothills will be eligible for the Palomar Promise Plus.

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Section 4: Steps to apply

Steps to Apply for FYE and Palomar Promise

1. Complete Palomar College application for Fall 2017 *Make sure that student selects high school graduate as their status on the college application. Otherwise, they will not see the FYE application link.

2. Apply for Financial Aid- FAFSA and BOGW, or California Dream Act. The priority deadline is May 5th.

3. Submit the FYE/Palomar Promise application. This can be found in the Student Center screen in eServices *The Student Success Agreement is part of the application. By submitting the FYE/Palomar Promise application, students are agreeing to the terms of the Student Success Agreement. *Please contact the TLC if the FYE program application link is not showing for a student.

4. Participate in a Palomar College orientation *FYE will no longer be hosting 4-hour orientations prior to the start of the fall semester as it has done in the past. FYE will now be integrated into the college-wide onboarding process that students participate in during spring. Other components of the original orientation experience will be incorporated into EAP and Week of Welcome.

5. Make an appointment with a counselor to develop your educational plan *Students can make appointments in the TLC, General Counseling, and STEM, as well as TRiO-SSS, EOPS, DRC and Veterans Services if they are part of those programs

6. Check Palomar College email for important updates * Encourage all incoming FYE students to participate in Registration Days in early June, as well as Week of Welcome in August.

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Section 5: How to apply guide

HOW TO APPLY TO THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (FYE)/

PALOMAR PROMISE

Click on the eServices

link

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Enter your student I.D. and

password

Click the Student Center tab

Click on the FYE/ Palomar Promise Application link that appears on the right

side of your Student Center screen.

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Section 6: Application screenshots

An eligible student will see the following:

An ineligible student sees the following:

This message in red text will always appear and is meant to remind students to update their information. It will still show, even if contact information is up- to-date.

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Once the student has applied the student will see the following:

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Automated email that is sent to student after submitting application:

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Section 7: Guide to transferring calls

Guide to Transferring Palomar Promise calls

Appropriate questions to transfer to the TLC x3931 • General Eligibility Questions – what are the requirements of PP, who is eligible, what schools are

eligible... • Any questions about support services that FYE provides • Questions about or technical problems with FYE/application • General FYE and PP eligibility questions • Orientations and upcoming activities • FYE/Palomar Promise Student Success Agreement

Questions to transfer to Financial Aid x2164 • Student Specific Eligibility Inquiries and PP status – questions about a student’s application status

for PP should be referred to Fin Aid Office so they can look into the student’s file. • Promise scholarship eligibility questions (student-specific) • Promise scholarship status questions • Status and disbursement schedule for tuition and textbook assistance from Promise • Promise awards • Inquiries about appeals • Lead contact in Financial Aid is Francisca Gonzalez x2371, fgonzalez@palomar.edu

Palomar Promise Plus • All Promise students are FYE students. Please refer to sections above for the type of inquiry • This is going be a coordinated effort between FYE, Financial Aid, and the Transfer Center

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Section 8: FAQs FAQs

1. What if a student is not eligible for Palomar Promise, can s/he still apply for to participate in FYE? Yes 2. When will students know if additional funding will be available after the May 5 deadline?

Students should be encouraged to apply through the summer. Additional updates will be coming out soon.

3. When will students be notified if they received the Palomar Promise award?

Promise funding is being treated as a financial aid award, and the disbursement schedule can be found at https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/fa/deadlines/.

4. What if a student attends school out of state for a year, then return to Mission Hills his/her senior year? Will s/he still be eligible for Palomar Promise?

Yes, as long as student applied before the Promise deadline.

5. Are there exemptions to the 12 unit full-time status requirement for Palomar Promise?

Students will still be eligible to participate in FYE. Financial aid already has a petition process for SAP. FYE, Admissions and Financial Aid are working on adapting this process to include Promise funding.

6. What if a student graduates early (for ex: first semester of their senior year)? Do they qualify?

Yes. Have them contact the TLC if this student does not see the FYE application link in eServices.

7. What if students enroll in less than 12 units, or earn less than a 2.0 GPA?

Financial aid already has a petition process for SAP. FYE, Admissions and Financial Aid are working on adapting this process to include Promise funding.

8. What if a student is a foster youth or homeless, and has moved in and out of San Marcos USD? As a result of the person’s extenuating and unique circumstances, could s/he still be eligible?

FYE, Admissions and Financial are working on processes to work on cases that are special circumstances

9. Are non-resident fees covered for Palomar Promise?

No. Please encourage students to apply for the FAFSA, Dream Act, and Scholarships to help offset the expense.

10. How is the textbook grant issued?

Students will receive a book voucher at the Palomar bookstore.

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11. What happens if a student is an incoming freshman and is unable to see the FYE/Palomar Promise application in their Student Center page? We have been finding that in most cases, this is because a student may have indicated “high school student” on their Palomar application, instead of “high school graduate.” Please have the student contact the TLC if s/he cannot access the application. The TLC staff will contact Admissions, as well as the IS department if necessary. 12. If an incoming freshman will have 15 or more units earned through concurrent/dual enrollment while in high school and before starting Palomar in the fall, then will s/he still be eligible to apply for FYE/Palomar Promise? Yes. The FYE/Palomar Promise application is programmed to ignore units earned at Palomar while in high schools. Students with units earned from concurrent/dual enrollment should not be negatively impacted. 13. What if students see a message in red text telling them to update their contact information, even if the contact information has already been updated? This is not an error message and the text is programmed to always appear. This message is simply a reminder from the FYE program that students should provide updated contact information before starting the program application. This will help FYE when sending important updates to students.

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Section 9: Program flyer (on next page)

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Section 10: FYE/Palomar Promise Student Success Agreement

The First-Year Experience Program (FYE) is a year-long college program focused on providing first-year students with the resources and support needed to transition successfully to college. As an FYE student, you will benefit from the following services:

• An FYE orientation before the fall semester begins, so you become familiar with Palomar campus, student

services, and resources.

• Academic and career counseling, including priority access to a FYE counselor.

• Individualized educational plan to ensure that you complete the necessary courses in order to meet your goal in

a timely manner.

• Registration and financial aid application assistance.

• Academic enrichment, career and social activities throughout the year.

• Opportunity to meet new people and form lasting friendships.

To remain part of the FYE program, I commit to the following: • Must have a current English or ESL and Math placement.

• Complete a First-Year Experience Orientation.

• Meet with a counselor to develop an abbreviated Student Educational Plan (SEP) by the end of my first

semester and a comprehensive SEP by the end of my second semester. I agree to follow my SEP.

• It is advised that I meet with a counselor 1-2 times per semester. This can be completed at the TLC,

General Counseling, EOP&S, DRC, TRIO, STEM and Veterans Services.

• Must prioritize enrolling in English/ESL, and Math courses for the fall semester and successfully

continue with these courses in the spring semester. I understand that it is advised that I enroll in a

Counseling or Reading support course during my first year.

• Make my education a priority by regularly attending all my classes and successfully complete the entire

academic school year (Fall and Spring) by setting realistic educational goals.

First-Year Experience Program Student Success Agreement

PALOMAR COLLEGE

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• I agree to notify the FYE program of any change in my status at Palomar College, such as dropping a

class, academic probation, withdrawal, leave of absence, transfer to another school, etc.

• 24-hour notice is advised if I need to cancel or reschedule a counseling appointment.

• I agree to attend at least 2 FYE workshops and/or activities per semester.

• I will update any changes in my contact information (email, phone, mailing address) in eServices.

• I will check my Palomar College email weekly for updates, information, and communication.

• I understand that the FYE program will monitor my progress by contacting my instructors while I

participate in the FYE program. I understand I may be referred to the appropriate academic and student

support services based on input from my instructors.

• I authorize the FYE program to obtain and/or exchange any records or data from the Admissions and

Records Office, Financial Aid Office, any student academic support program (TRIO, DRC, EOP&S),

and from my high school district.

• I agree to abide by the Palomar College Student Code of Conduct.

http://www2.palomar.edu/pages/studentaffairs/standard-of-student-conduct/

• If paired with a mentor, I agree to meet with my mentor as required by the program.

Palomar Promise provides an enhanced opportunity for FYE students to receive free tuition and priority registration throughout their first year. Additionally, Palomar Promise will provide textbook assistance for all eligible students. More information available at www.palomar.edu/palomarpromise. I understand that to be eligible to participate in Palomar Promise, I need to have graduated from an eligible high school in 2017 and have filed a FAFSA or California Dream Act application.

In order to remain in good standing with Palomar Promise, I take responsibility for:

• Maintaining a full-time enrollment (12 or more units) per semester, based on my Student Educational

Plan (SEP). I will consult with a counselor before making any changes to my educational plan, to ensure

my continued academic success.

• Maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA while attending Palomar. If necessary, I agree to participate in

academic intervention activities to regain my good standing.

I understand if I do not meet the above requirements, my FYE or Palomar Promise status may be affected or I may be dismissed from the program. I understand that by clicking SUBMIT on the online FYE/Palomar Promise application in eServices, I agree to the terms above. (Please print a copy for your records.)

www.palomar.edu/fye firstyearexperience@palomar.edu

760-744-1150 x3931

Palomar Promise

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Section 11: Summer Bridge

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Notes

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