On October 2, College Possible Minnesota and the State of Minnesota Office of Higher Education signed an agreement that will allow students attending schools that don’t already participate in the state-run college Direct Admissions program to have access to the program through College Possible. College Possible Minnesota is the first community-based organization to participate in this program.
Started in 2023, Direct Admissions is as a pilot program for the state of Minnesota through the Office of Higher Education. Data from a similar, successful program in Idaho informed the Minnesota program, which was created in an effort to grow post-secondary attendance and decrease the educational equity gap. According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, “Direct Admissions” means a student has earned conditional or guaranteed admittance to a college or university, depending on the institution. While the application fees are waived for these students, they must still complete the institution’s application to the colleges of their choice.
Because not all high schools have the privilege of staff capacity to engage in the work required for this program, many high schools have not been able to take advantage of this opportunity. Fortunately, the Minnesota site will be able to offer the Direct Admissions program to 171 additional students in the College Possible program whose high schools are not able to participate.
Staff and AmeriCorps coaches will support Direct Admissions programming by:
- Distributing and collecting opt-in forms with parent consent
- Coordinating with school to obtain GPAs, and customize student support based on Direct Admission requirements.
- Distributing individualized forms to students based on their customized path and providing follow-up support.
- Collecting and sharing with the Office of Higher Education for direct college and university follow-up.
“We are thrilled to support the Office of Higher Education’s Direct Admissions initiative as it moves into year two of impact,” said BG Tucker, senior director of programs at College Possible Minnesota. “It’s very exciting to be a part of expanding the scope of the program beyond high schools and districts to include community-based organizations. Now, because of our partnership, all College Possible Minnesota students – regardless of where they go to school – will have access to Direct Admissions. In my mind, it’s a clear win to be aligned with a program whose goals echo our own and stive to ‘reduce self-selection bias and equity gaps in college enrollment.'”
Wondering which schools College Possible Minnesota works with or if your student is eligible for our programs? Visit our website for more information!
