The Adult College Completion Initiative

The Office of the State Superintendent’s (OSSE) Adult College Completion (ACC) Initiative seeks to encourage first-time adult college students and adult learners who attended college and left without obtaining a degree to earn postsecondary credentials.

Adult learners often face various challenges that keep them from completing their postsecondary goals. In January of 2014, OSSE convened a working group comprised of ten adult-friendly community and postsecondary partners, aimed at providing stronger institutionalized and community-based support for adult learners. The working group designed a district-wide campaign to educate adult learners about the available paths for college completion.

The ACC Initiative helps promote a collaborative approach to increasing adult college completion and brings the student-centered perspective to the forefront of college completion work.

ACC Working Group Members:
Academy of Hope
DC College Access Program: Retention Services (DC-CAP)
Prince Georges Community College
Reach 4 Success - College information Center
Trinity Washington University
University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC)

Upcoming Event(s)

Do you need to start or finish your college degree? Join us for OSSE’s Fifth Annual Adult College Completion Fair on Saturday, April 18, 2020, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at One Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth St. NW. Stay tuned for more information!

Are you 18 or older and interested in going to college? Did you start college but were unable to finish? If that’s you, join us at the fair for:

• Conversations with representatives from local universities and colleges that offer adult friendly credential, associates and bachelors degree programs.
• Scholarship and resource information from organizations that support adult learners who are pursuing higher education degrees.
• Adult-friendly online education options.
• Degree audits with local college or university representatives. Bring your unofficial transcript and receive a complimentary degree audit or transcript evaluation.
• Workshops designed to provide you with everything you need to know to successfully return to college or enroll in college for the first time.
• Application fee waivers from participating colleges and universities.
• On-site admissions for eligible prospective students.

There is no better time than now to start or finish your degree.

See you on April 18 at One Judiciary Square and bring a friend. The first 100 registrants get a surprise at check-in.

For more information, questions, or to register for the fair, please contact Christina Beal at [email protected] or (202) 727-8805.

For Adult Learners

OSSE’s Adult College Completion (ACC) Initiative has partnered with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to provide over 200 degree options to all District residents who participate in the ACC Initiative or those who are DC government employees. Thanks to this partnership, you can choose from two interactive online educational paths: SNHU’s self-directed College for America programs or hundreds of instructor-led programs.

You can learn more about the programs offered by listening to a pre-recorded webinar. View webinar

When you enroll in a degree program at SNHU, you can expect:

• Affordability: Undergraduate tuition starts at $864 per course. Or enroll in SNHU’s College for America program for a flat cost of $3,000 per year. Federal student aid and financing is available for all programs.
• Flexibility: Transfer-friendly, online programs that work for you.
• Credibility: Pursue a fully accredited degree from Southern New Hampshire University, founded in 1932. SNHU is a nonprofit institution dedicated to helping you succeed.

For questions, please call Southern New Hampshire University at 1- (800) 668-1249.

NHU Undergraduate Term Start Dates:

• Jan. 6, 2020
• March 2, 2020
• May 4, 2020
• June 29, 2020
• Aug. 31, 2020
• Oct. 26, 2020
• Jan. 4, 2021

To learn more about SNHU’s tuition discount program, visit snhu.edu/family6. Type in ACC under “DC Program” on snhu.edu/dc to receive this benefit as a DC resident or DC government employee. To learn more, please contact Christina Beal at [email protected] or (202) 727-8805.

It’s never too late to #BeAFinisher

Take a peek at the 2016 Second Annual Adult College Completion Fair.

Adult-friendly Colleges and Universities

Adult-friendly Community-Based Organizations

Many community organizations within the District offer certificate training programs, college counseling, adult education programs and financial aid and scholarship opportunities for adult learners. The community-based organizations listed below were featured at the Second Annual Adult College Completion Fair. Please visit their websites for more information on programs and services.

Academy of Hope (AOH)
College Board (Educational Opportunity Center)
Community College Preparatory Academy
Department of Veteran Affairs
District of Columbia Department of Disability Services (DDS)
District of Columbia Department of Human Resources (DCHR)
District of Columbia Public Library
District of Columbia ReEngagement Center (The REC)
Goodwill Training Programs
Intellectual Point
Latin American Youth Center Career Academy (LAYCCA)
Mayor’s Scholars
New Futures
The Next Step Public Charter School
Public Allies
Reach 4 Success- The College Information Center
So Others Might Eat- Center for Employment Training
Tuition Assistance Program Initiative for TANF (TAPIT)

Revisiting the Dream

Have you gone as far in your career as you can without a college degree? Or is your dream to transition to a career that requires postsecondary education? Whether it's job-related or for personal development, obtaining a credential or graduating from college opens up a new world of potential for your life.

Follow These Steps to Ease the Transition to College:

STEP 1: EXPLORE FINANCIAL AID

It is important to understand your options regarding financial aid to pay for college. Financial aid applications can be complex and adult resources are limited. Start now.

Federal options

• To explore federal financial aid opportunities, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA application opens on Oct. 1 of each year and students should submit by March 1. Your school’s deadline may be earlier, so be sure to ask. Visit fafsa.ed.gov to access the FAFSA application.

District Options

• Talk to a financial aid counselor about how to find scholarships, fellowships, grants and other sources of free aid. The less you have to pay out of pocket and borrow, the better off you’ll be. If you are under the age of 24, you may be eligible for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG).Please contact the DCTAG office at (202) 727-2824 for more information.

• The Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides need-based funding, to cover tuition and fees, for eligible DC residents pursuing their first undergraduate degree at a select public or private college or university in the DC metro area. Please visit osse.dc.gov/mayorsscholars for more information.

• Many community organizations within the District offer scholarships to Adult learners. Please visit the following websites for more information:
• New Futures
• Public Allies
• The Herb Block Foundation
• Tuition Assistance Program Initiative for TANF (TAPIT)

Institutional options

• Contact the Financial Aid office at your prospective school and request a full list of scholarships available. Also, check with your academic advisors, as sometimes an academic college or department will offer scholarships.

Employers & organizational options

• Many employers and organizations offer tuition assistance and reimbursement; check with your human resources department.

STEP 2: GET ENROLLED

Make an appointment with an admissions officer to review enrollment information.

Complete the application process

• Be sure to mark application dates and deadlines on your calendar so you won’t miss them. Submit your admissions application and any separate department or program applications as early as possible, and well before any deadlines.
• If you have earned college credits from previous institutions, you will need to request your official transcripts from the office of the registrar of each college you have attended. The transcript must be mailed directly from the college you attended to the college you are applying to.
• Once you have been accepted, be sure to register for classes as soon as possible. Attend orientations and explore campus and community organizations. The more involved you become the more likely you are to succeed.

STEP 3: GET AN ADVISOR

• Many schools have special offices or advisors for adult students. These professionals can tell you what programs and services are specifically available, such as day care, career counseling and financial aid.

STEP 4: CHART YOUR COURSE

Work with academic advisors to design a class schedule that works for you.

• Whichever schedule option you choose, be sure to follow your degree plan.
• Generally, you should allow six hours of study per week for each three-credit-hour course.

It’s never too late to #BeAFinisher