NCAN 2024 Team Takeaways
At this year’s NCAN conference in Anaheim, our team was inspired by the wealth of knowledge shared on everything from FAFSA changes to innovative postsecondary advising practices. Each session sparked new ideas and insights that will help us better support students and educators in their postsecondary journeys. Below, our team members share their key takeaways from the conference, highlighting important trends, tools, and strategies that can be applied in schools and districts across the country.
Sasha
FAFSA- Understanding software implications on educational outcomes.
Beta testing- a stage in the software development process where a product is released to a limited group of users before the official launch.
Why- this process is used in software development, and is a crucial part of ensuring software can function properly.
We can share the “Plan for Beta Testing” slide from NCAN plenary.
College Going Culture Principles Chart.pdf
This is already broken down like a blog.
Rhiannon
The FAFSA Simplification Act will expand the Federal Pell Grant to more students and eligibility is now linked to family size and the federal poverty level, and calculations feel somewhat complex. Determining Pell eligibility now requires a three step calculation as there are no more Pell charts like in the past. Students can be eligible for the maximum amount of $7,395, a minimum amount or something in between. Pell grant thresholds for award amounts weigh a student’s dependency against adjusted gross income thresholds (AGI), as a percentage of poverty, that are established by the FSA; use this guide for Max/Min Pell Grants serve as a critical resource. There are some additional updates impacting eligibility: income now must be greater than 0 to qualify for max Pell, and there is no longer minimum half-time enrollment for third term of Pell in one academic year - you can now qualify for it over the summer term, for example. We can look to our financial aid offices and other community based organizations as support as school practitioners who help students and families apply and interpret their financial aid awards.
(from New Pell: Understanding Pell in 2024-25 with Daniel T. Barkowitz @ University of Miami)
Noa
At NCAN there were attendees and presenters from all over the country. This provided us the opportunity to learn about work being done in areas of the country Contigo Ed has not previously worked in deeply. For example, in the Navigating Tomorrow: Unlocking College Possible with Match Innovation session we had the opportunity to learn about work being done in Minnesota while at the Senior Class Data Huddles: Rally Around Data! session we got to learn about work being done in CA and DC. Members of the Contigo Ed team also attended GEORGIA MATCH - An Innovative Statewide Direct Admission Program where we got to learn about work being done in Georgia around the Governor's initiative Georgia Match a direct admissions program aimed at enrolling more Georgia residents in college at Georgia Institutions. During this session, a fellow attendee shared that they are working on a similar initiative in TX (My Future Texas) that would be launching this fall. For those working with students in TX you can visit the My Future Texas website to learn more. Learning about My Future Texas is a good reminder that while at conferences there are opportunities to learn from presenters but also other attendees.
Marco
High-performing to and through organizations are starting to use AI in thoughtful, intentional ways that hold true to the importance of human-centric and student-centric advising. This effort was launched with the goal of better supporting students and advisors, rather than replacing human advisors. As a result, these organizations are able to serve more students at a lower cost by freeing up advisors to spend more of their time advising. If you’re interested in learning more about how these organizations are using AI and the lessons they have learned in their early adoption, check out this playbook.
Jesse
The session "Lengthen the Runway: Expanding our Reach and Empowering Junior Postsecondary Planning" underscores the importance of beginning college and career advising earlier than senior year to improve student outcomes. Traditionally, many students, particularly those from underserved communities, delay planning until their final year of high school, leading to rushed decisions and limited options. By starting the advising process during junior year, students have more time to explore key postsecondary concepts, such as career pathways, financial aid, and college fit. This proactive approach enables students to create a comprehensive plan that aligns with their goals, making well-informed choices about the colleges or careers they wish to pursue.
By focusing on junior year, schools can help students avoid the last-minute “fires” that often arise during senior year, such as scrambling to meet application deadlines or discovering insufficient financial aid options. Early exploration gives students the opportunity to research and select institutions that are a good match academically, socially, and financially. With structured guidance, including drafting a wishlist of potential schools and receiving timely feedback, students are more likely to enroll in well-matched programs where they can persist and succeed. This early start is especially beneficial for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping to close equity gaps in postsecondary access and attainment.
Presentation: Lengthen the Runway: Expanding our Reach and Empowering Junior Postsecondary Planning
Chad
Districts across the country are working hard to ensure all students are accessing programs and opportunities aligned to high-quality postsecondary pathways. Two of the historical challenges with preparing all students for high-quality pathways are the length of that journey (it starts early) and the complexity of that journey (requires multiple district teams to work together effectively and efficiently). During the conference, I had the opportunity to learn about how two large urban districts - Chicago Public Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools - are approaching this complex process of individualized pathway support at scale. Utilizing a combination of improved data tracking systems, research-based advising practices, and enhanced student supports, districts like CPS and MNPS are helping to lead the charge to scale customized pathway planning in our urban school districts.
