Intervention (Hidden)
Comprehensive Coaching and Mentoring
The coaching and mentoring component of Stay the Course addresses the social and institutional barriers, as well as unexpected life obstacles, that students encounter in a community college setting. As a student enter the program, he or she has an introductory meeting with a member of the Stay the Course team. This person is called a service "Navigator". During this meeting, the Navigator conducts a client assessment and discusses with the client his or her areas of needs, as well as the student’s strengths and weaknesses. The student and Navigator then cooperatively develop a comprehensive service plan that specifies how the student and Navigator will work together to address identified barriers so the student is able to accomplish his or her educational goal. Navigators also work to develop a personal relationship with each of their students. Navigators counsel clients on everyday life obstacles, such as problems with child-care arrangements, transportation, or work schedules, and help students make the necessary arrangements such that their life is set up to accommodate class attendance and studying.
Navigators assist students navigate the community college system by ensuring students register for the necessary and appropriate classes. Depending on student need, Navigators may also assist students connect to other campus resources, such as the tutoring or career centers. The coaching and mentoring services provided by the Stay the Course Team are more comprehensive than those typically available at community colleges. In particular, they focus on helping students with out of school issues which they encounter. Each Navigator works with approximately 35 students, so each student receives a significant amount of personal time and attention from program staff.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The second component to Stay the Course, Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA), provides short-term resources to students for non-academic expenses or income shortfalls that could negatively impact a student’s persistence in college. EFA is not meant to constitute an academic grant or scholarship. Rather, it provides the buffer resources that a low-income student needs (and lacks) in order to stay in school. Receipt of EFA requires a student to successfully demonstrate that a) they have an imminent financial need, and b) that not meeting this need will be detrimental to the student’s academic progress. Additional factors that determine whether the event qualifies for assistance include the extent to which the event is foreseeable, controllable, and temporary. Examples of qualified costs include a car repair, a bus pass, or emergency medical care. Eligibility for EFA will be restricted to those who have a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 at Tarrant County College or higher (unless they are in their first semester at TCC) and are enrolled in at least 6 credits the semester in which they apply. An individual student can apply to receive up to $500 per semester, capped at a total of $1,500 over a three year period.