» Start Smart

Many students walk across their high school graduation stage with the intention of enrolling in college. They might have already accepted their offer, paid their deposit, and begun daydreaming about how to decorate their dorm room. Yet for many students, when fall rolls around, their chair is empty on their college campus. This phenomenon is known as “Summer Melt.” Students can face a variety of challenges and hurdles completing their enrollment process during the summer months.

NAVIGATING ALL THE STEPS TO COLLEGE ENROLLMENT CAN BE CONFUSING FOR ANY FAMILY.

The path is more difficult for students whose parents have not been to college, or low-income students. One roadblock, like a FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) verification or additional unexpected fees, can be enough to derail a student’s plan, especially when they do not have access to their guidance counselors or trusted adults in the school building. SAM has identified Summer Melt as a contributing factor to decreased college enrollment. To help combat this “melt” SAM started the Start Smart program in summer of 2020 to support at-risk students during the key summer months. The program pairs trained community volunteers with high school seniors who have been identified by their guidance department and/ or college admissions. These coaches help students overcome barriers to enrollment and navigate the often complicated and confusing waters of postsecondary enrollment. Students and coaches text each other as issues arise. As an incentive to participating in the program and continuing the necessary steps toward enrollment, students receive $250 toward their book needs upon college enrollment.

THIS PAST YEAR, SAM OFFERED THE START SMART PROGRAM TO STUDENTS FROM BROOME HIGH SCHOOL.

We recruited 26 coaches to work with 33 students. Coaches were able to meet their student at a lunch held on campus to get to know each other and begin discussing their postsecondary plans. This was the first year that coaches were able to meet their students in person due to pandemic restrictions. Students and coaches have expressed appreciation for being involved in the program. One coach stated that the most rewarding part was “knowing, as coaches, that we played a small part in getting the students to begin their college journey. ‘It takes a village,’ as they say, so it felt good to be a part of that village community.” One student thanked their coach by texting, “thank you for helping me out and reminding me to do this stuff, by the way. I really do appreciate it and needed it a lot. I have ADHD and don’t take medication so it’s hard to remember everything and remind myself, so thank you for being here!” We hope to expand the Start Smart program to work with even more students and districts as we continue to support the postsecondary attainment of Spartanburg’s students.