The Inspiration

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The Inspiration
Only 3 percent of Minnesotas African American
and American Indian 9th graders, and 5 percent of
Latino 9th graders, are projected to complete a
bachelors degree before they are 25 years
old. Citizens League Higher Education Report
2004
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The Promise
Graduate from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public
high school in the spring and you can go to
college in the fall, TUITION FREE.
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Why Minneapolis/St. Paul?
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The Power of YOU Goals

• Reach Back Change Expectations and Improve
  College Readiness
• 2. Grants Increase Participation by Removing
  Financial Barriers
• 3. Retention Services Increase College
  Graduation Rates

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Program Requirements

• Graduate from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public
  high school
• Reside in either the city of Minneapolis or the
  city of Saint Paul
• Meet the criteria to apply for federal financial
  aid
• Meet the admission requirements of the
  college/university
• Enroll in 12 credits each term
• Participate in 30 hours of service learning
• Enroll in Strategies for College Success class
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
  each term
• No Income Cap

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Our Community Partners
Endorsed By The Minnesota Business
Partnership City of Lakes Chamber of
Commerce Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce In
Collaboration With YMCA of Metropolitan
Minneapolis African American Family Services
NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Page
Education Foundation Hospitality House Youth
Directions Circle of Discipline
Achieve!Minneapolis Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Public Schools Hennepin County YMCA of Greater
St. Paul Neighborhood House Cities of
Minneapolis and Saint Paul Funded By 3M
Foundation ADC Foundation F.R. Bigelow
Foundation General Mills Foundation Graco
Foundation Jerry Christenson Family Mardag
Foundation Medtronic Foundation RBC Dain
Rauscher Minneapolis Foundation Otto Bremer
Foundation Tennant Foundation Perlman
Foundation St. Paul Travelers Foundation Xcel
Energy Foundation Saint Paul Foundation
Timberwolves/Lynx Mpls. Empowerment Zone Mpls.
Downtown Network
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Meet Our First Power of YOU Class
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Financial Profile
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Evaluation Results

• Enrollment of Minneapolis and Saint Paul public
  school graduates doubled over prior year 76
  were students of color.
• 4 of 5 students reported the program influenced
  their decision to attend college.
• Power of YOU students had an overall retention
  rate of 85 during the first year.
• The program did not simply draw students to MCTC
  and Saint Paul College who would have attended
  college anyway.

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Evaluation Results

• The colleges experienced large increases in Black
  students, low-income students, ESL students and
  students taking developmental courses.
• Almost one-third of Power of YOU students made
  their decision to attend college in their senior
  year.
• A higher proportion of Power of YOU students took
  developmental courses (81 v 68 at MCTC and 75
  v 60 at SPC).

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Evaluation Results

• On average, Power of YOU students had a higher
  GPA during fall semester than their non-POY
  classmates.
• Average cumulative GPA at the end of the first
  year was the same for POY and non-POY students.
• At the end of the first year, 62 of Power of YOU
  students were in good academic standing.

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Challenges

• Extent to which students were under-prepared for
  college
• Concerns by sister institutions about enrollment
  and fund raising
• Fear about creating expectations that could not
  be fulfilled
• FAFSA as a barrier for undocumented students
• Concerns about long-term sustainability

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Questions?
http//www.minneapolis.edu/powerofyou/index.html
http//www.saintpaul.edu/powerofyou/index.aspx