April Recognized as College Commitment and Attainment Month
Baton Rouge, La., — Governor Jeff Landry has issued a proclamation officially recognizing the month of April as College Commitment and Attainment Month (CCAM) in Louisiana. CCAM focuses on helping students transition to postsecondary education after high school graduation by addressing the next steps to take after receiving a college acceptance letter.
According to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), approximately 10-40% of students accepted into a postsecondary program each year do not enroll in the fall following high school graduation. This phenomenon is called “summer melt” and often occurs due to challenges faced during the summer after graduation.
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) launched CCAM to help prevent summer melt and support postsecondary enrollment and success. CCAM provides students with resources and support to navigate the often-complicated transition from high school to college.
“During CCAM, we strive to empower Louisiana’s high school seniors by leveraging LOSFA’s services, resources, and partnerships to help them overcome obstacles and secure their ideal college match for a strong start in the fall,” said Kayla Gros, Program and Resource Coordinator. “We also encourage our juniors to begin their college journey early by exploring postsecondary programs to craft strategic application lists, laying the groundwork for a successful transition to college upon high school graduation.”
Summer melt is a significant issue that affects many college-bound students, with an increasing impact on individuals from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. LOSFA utilizes CCAM as an opportunity to raise awareness about the support students need for a successful postsecondary transition after high school graduation.
High school counselors, community-based organizations, churches, businesses, postsecondary institutions, and registered apprenticeship programs can visit here to request an in-person or virtual presentation for their students. Topics for presentations and resources include comparing postsecondary institutions for match and fit, financial aid verification, scheduling courses, transfer credits, campus resources, career exploration, and summer planning to help graduating seniors understand expectations and prepare for the transition to a postsecondary institution.
For more information about CCAM, contact Kayla Gros at kayla.gros@la.gov.