Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 4 of The Illinois Commitment
Access to Higher Education Initiative and Scholarship and Financial Aid Program
Lexington College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
Together, the Access to Higher Education Initiative (AHEI) and Scholarship and Financial Aid Program (SFAP)
respectively address access to and opportunity for a college degree. Lexington has instituted these programs in
order to provide first-generation college students from diverse backgrounds with information about bridging the
gap between college aspirations and degree completion, along with the financial means to attend a private
college.
Description of the effective practice:
The AHEI changed the way Lexington’s Admissions and Financial Aid Offices interacted with potential student
populations. Recognizing that Lexington’s degree program holds a special niche in academia, the AHEI
educates prospective students and their families about the importance of investing in higher education.
Specifically, the AHEI has increased the number and diversity of students the admissions team engages, and
spearheaded the bilingual financial aid workshops for students and their families.
In the last two years, the SFAP has been restructured to offer students scholarships that Lexington has solicited
from private donors and foundations in addition to expanding the Lexington scholarships available. The Bears
Care Foundation, Monticello College Foundation and Rosemoor Scholarships have directly benefited deserving
women in their pursuit of a college degree. The increase in Lexington’s institutional commitment to expand the
SFAP began in 2004 with the landmark success of the annual Building Scholarships for Service Benefit Dinner.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
This practice achieves sustainability because it is funded by a wide range of stakeholders who are individuals,
foundations and corporations. Specifically, the Col. Stanley R. McNeill Foundation, the Bears Care Foundation,
Marriott International, McDonald’s Corporation, Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, Starbucks Coffee
Company, Bank One/Chase, CBS 2 Chicago, college alum, and individuals. These contributions are in the form
of money and in-kind donations which cover the cost of the event and raise an increasing amount of funds each
year.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
With the AHEI, Lexington College has reached over 20,073 students and their families through direct mailings,
37 college fairs, 16 career awareness presentations, and three campus open houses and financial aid seminars
(the latter with a bilingual component).
Importantly, both the percentage of students, as well as the average amount of institutional grant, began
increasing in 2004, and have maintained growth. Since that time, the Building Scholarships for Service Benefit
Dinner has grown 398%.
Contact Information
Name: Jodi Kurtze
Email: dev@lexingtoncollege.edu
Phone: (312) 226-6294
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