CLC Foundation 2015 Case for Support

College

Lake County This is your opportunity to change someone’s life.

OUR MISSION The College of Lake County Foundation raises money to fund scholarships and grants that provide our students with an opportunity for a better future. Through these efforts, we strengthen the vitality and well-being of the diverse communities we serve.

TABLE OF CONTENTS The Opportunity Gap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Education Changes Everything. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Helping More Students Succeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Scholarships Boost Success Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Helping Students Succeed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Pathways To Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lake County’s Economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 How You Can Change a Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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THE OPPORTUNITY GAP Most of us know Lake County as a prosperous place to live and work.

According to U.S. census estimates, the median household income for Lake County residents in 2014 was $77,469, compared to $56,797 for all of Illinois.

But did you know that nearly 1 in 10 Lake County residents live in poverty?

Affordable tuition and fees put a College of Lake County (CLC) education within reach of the majority of students. But with federal and state aid decreasing, the cost of a community college education is still too high for many students.

Thousands of intelligent, hard-working people right here in Lake County could succeed in college, but due to their finances—they may think it’s impossible.

Without financial help, a substantial percentage of low- or middleincome CLC students could not afford to attend school at all. Many of these students are also the first in their family to attend college.

Students without family support and those in borderline financial situations (who do not qualify for federal grants) end up borrowing and working full time to pay for school.

When students are employed full time, they rarely have enough time or energy to study and do well in school and are less likely to complete their certificate or degree.

But people like you can provide qualified students with a real opportunity to succeed.

With your generous support, the CLC Foundation is in the unique position to provide students in Lake County, who would otherwise be unable to afford college, a clear pathway to a brighter, more promising future.

You have the opportunity to make a CLC student’s impossible dream become an achievable goal—to literally change a life.

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EDUCATION CHANGES EVERYTHING In the past decade, wages have fallen by 12% for people with only a high school education. Completing a post-secondary degree or other credential increases both opportunities and wages. On average, people with post-secondary certificates earn 40% more than individuals with a high school education.

By 2020, two out of three jobs will require some post- secondary education. Providing greater access to higher education, training, and completion of credentials is the key to narrowing the skills gap that many employers are facing.

CLC is a critical resource for low- and middle- income students, who are striving to improve their prospects in the Lake County labor market and in life. Currently, at least 1-in-5 students are in need of

financial assistance.

“ WHEN YOU INVEST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, YOU ARE HELPING TO CHANGE LIVES, GROW OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, AND CREATE A STRONGER COMMUNITY” Teresa Hall Bartels, CEO Gateway for Cancer Research & Charles R. Bartels, Lake County Community Board Member.

The CLC Foundation is already helping meet some of this need. In the 2013-2014 academic year alone, 4,970 CLC students received a total of $14.8 million in grants, scholarships, veterans’ benefits and work-study awards from federal, state, institutional and private sources. However,

the average unmet need was over $2,500 per student.

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HELPING MORE STUDENTS SUCCEED Education is indeed the single most effective strategy to ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is prepared to succeed in 21st-century jobs. It is also the best way to break people out of the cycle of poverty and to build our local economy.

That’s why we believe that every CLC student with the talent, drive, and desire should have the chance to achieve a higher education, without the burden of debt for their CLC education.

Our goal is help provide life-changing support for these students.

To help them achieve their certification or degree, debt-free.

A debt-free CLC degree means that qualified foundation

scholarship students will be awarded “full-ride” scholarships—tuition, fees and book costs covered.

“ HELPING MORE OF OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS SOMETHING WE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT.” Dr. Jerry Weber, CLC President

SCHOLARSHIPS BOOST SUCCESS RATES Our CLC Foundation scholarship students have a higher success rate than other CLC students. Your scholarship gift helps them transition from part-time to full-time enrollment status. With your support, students are provided with an opportunity to better manage their outside employment needs so they are able to focus on their studies.

Each year, our research shows that College of Lake County scholarship

recipients consistently produce higher academic results and greater rates of completion in comparison to students receiving no financial aid, or other forms of financial aid.

47.7%

33.8%

SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT COMPLETION RATE

NON SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT COMPLETION RATE

(Based on CLC students who began attending in 2011.)

2.75

2.20

2.75 SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT GPA

2.20 NON SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT GPA

GPA

GPA

SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT GRADES UP 25% 9

HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED CLC Foundation scholarship recipients receive more than just financial support. They may also benefit from CLC initiatives that help them succeed academically and achieve their certificate or degree.

The Jump Start Summer Bridge Program helps recent high school graduates by providing a tuition-free course in developmental math or English. Students attend during the summer before entering CLC and receive mentoring, dedicated tutors, and other services.

Coaching for Academic Success is a holistic approach to supporting students in defining, assessing and achieving their academic goals.

Coaches build confidence, engage early and often, connect students to resources, and collaborate across the college.

Student Academic Support is comprised of a wide variety of tutoring, facilitated open labs, final exam review sessions, Math and Writing Centers, and supplemental instruction.

 

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PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS Beginning in the fall of 2015, the Pathways to Success program is a strategic partnership between CLC, the CLC Foundation, and One Million Degrees (OMD), a Chicago-based not-for-profit. This strategic partnership provides proven support services to increase CLC Foundation scholarship recipients’ degree and transfer program completion rates. OMD has proven success rates at Chicago-based community colleges including graduation rates of 70% compared to the 20% average across Illinois, retention rates of 84%, and completion in 2.5 years (less than half the time of a traditional community college student).

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LAKE COUNTY’S ECONOMY CLC fills a unique strategic role in Lake County’s educational pipeline, partnering with high schools, universities, and employers. Local employers support CLC because they know we are especially suited to adapt to a changing labor market and help students gain the skills they need to join the local workforce.

The College of Lake County Foundation values this collaborative role and looks forward to fueling continual progress through learning.

Students at CLC pursue transfer degrees (A.A.), career program degrees (A.A.S.), or certificates in diverse fields including healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, technology, and business.

The more educated our citizens are, the more likely they are to be employed, earn a good living, support a family, and contribute to our communities.

“ I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH CLC GRADUATES, MANY OF WHOM ARE OUR BEST EMPLOYEE STAKEHOLDERS—THEY CARE ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF BOTH OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR ORGANIZATION.” Scott Jones, President and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Zion, IL.

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“ OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH CLC CREATES RELATIONSHIPS WITH QUALIFIED STUDENTS. WE PROVIDE DIRECT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AT OUR COMPANY WHO WANT TO HELP AND SUPPORT THEM” Michael Greenhill, President, Smalley Steel Ring Company, Lake Zurich, IL.

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HOW YOU CAN CHANGE A LIFE Your gifts are critical to provide opportunity and hope for deserving CLC students.

2015-2016 ACADEMIC YEAR TUITION AND FEES $3,612 BOOKS

$1,596

TOTAL DIRECT COST $5,208

Here are a few ways your gift can make a major impact:

Debt-Free Scholarship Fund - $5,208 (suggested amount) This gift will provide a “full-ride” scholarship and cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books for one student for one year. A gift to the DebtFree Scholarship Fund will help a student transition from part-time to full-time status so that they can focus on achieving their degree. When combined with other gifts to the fund, it will help a deserving student achieve their CLC degree, debt-free.

CLC FOUNDATION STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS VOLUNTEER AT ANNUAL FUND RAISING GALA.

Life Changing Named Scholarship - $15,624 This “full-ride” scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books for a student’s entire CLC career (up to three years). A Life Changing Scholarship will help a student transition from part-time to full-time status so that they can focus on achieving their degree, debt-free.

With your gift of $15,624, you may designate your named scholarship to a specific CLC certificate or degree program.

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Each year, you will receive a letter describing the student(s) we have selected for your scholarship award, keeping you closely tied to the impact of your gift. You will also receive a thank you letter directly from your scholarship recipient(s).

Named Scholarship Endowment - $25,000 (minimum) The CLC Foundation offers named and/or designated endowed scholarships, starting at $25,000. The CLC Foundation prudently invests your contribution and uses the earnings to provide scholarships in your name for worthy students in perpetuity. Earnings will help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books for students working toward a debt-free CLC degree.

Each year, you will receive a letter describing the student(s) we have selected for your scholarship award, keeping you closely tied to the impact of your gift. You will also receive a thank you letter directly from your scholarship recipient(s).

The College of Lake County Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

To discuss these and other giving opportunities, please contact: Karen L. Schmidt Executive Director, CLC Foundation karen.schmidt@clcillinois.edu (847) 543-2640

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College

Lake County 19351 West Washington Street Grayslake, Illinois 60030-1198 (847) 543-2000