Many students choose to attend community college for financial accessibility reasons, and the completion of FAFSA is critical for ensuring students access the full slate of available federal and state aid. The rollout of the new Better FAFSA presents challenges to students at community colleges who rely on knowing what aid they will be eligible for in order to inform their decision to enroll. In the midst of challenges to complete the new FAFSA, how do community colleges respond to the needs of their diverse students and put structures in place to help them succeed in attaining a high-quality degree or credential? This session will specifically examine the challenges to FAFSA completion for community college students and address ways in which institutions can support students in completing FAFSA and receiving financial aid.

As we move forward in the field of Early Childhood with lessons learned from the pandemic, we are seeing some areas rebounding to normalcy and some shifts that changed from the effects. In 2023, the field experienced funding shifts and workforce shortages, and at a time where our youngest students needed support of qualified professionals during these critical years. Join us in our conversation with NIEER as we discuss some of the highlights and areas for growth from 2023 and where we can go in 2024.

The pandemic exacerbated burnout for students and teachers, resulting in teacher shortages, mental health issues, and lower academic performance. To help alleviate the back-to-school stress and students’ academic decline from the pandemic, this webinar will discuss proven strategies that schools can implement to protect the mental, physical, and emotional health of their communities. Join resource experts as they discuss the benefits of building school communities that promote mental health, encourage mindfulness practices, and foster wellbeing to improve school culture and educator retention.