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ACT 101 Program

 

Megan Gallagher, Act 101 Counselor

The Higher Education Equal Opportunity (ACT 101: Achievement through Counseling & Tutoring) Program, established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1971, is designed to provide an educational opportunity for students whose academic performance in high school or college, or whose social or economic background demonstrates a need for support services in order for them to enter or remain at Saint Francis University. ACT 101 is a student support program designed to assist students to develop academic skills, leadership potential and study skills. Saint Francis University recruits highly motivated students who show the potential to succeed in college with adequate support (counseling, tutoring and financial assistance).

Participants Will Have the Opportunity to:

• participate in new and exciting college experiences
• establish new relationships
• interact continuously with support staff
• integrate academic and career goals
• learn, develop, grow and reach one's true potential

Eligibility

ACT 101 participants are chosen on the basis of their academic potential, motivation and aspirations. To be eligible for program services, students must be full-time residents of Pennsylvania and must meet certain academic and economic criteria.

Academic Eligibility

Institutional norms are used to establish educational eligibility. Traditional indicators of class rank, high school grades and college entrance scores can be supplemented by other indicators. Generally, eligible program participants have a predicted academic QPA of 2.0 (C) or less as determined by Saint Francis University.

Economic Eligibility

Eligible program participants are students whose financial resources for higher education are limited. Eligibility is based upon the adjusted family income as defined in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency procedures for calculating student financial aid.

Counseling Services

Counseling services are a fundamental component of each ACT 101 Program.  Saint Francis University provides counseling services that help students to realize their personal and educational goals.

The ACT 101 Program at Saint Francis University uses professional counselors who work individually or in groups to provide help in the following areas:

• orienting students to the college and the ACT 101 Program
• assisting students in career planning and decision making
• academic advising and course selection
• assisting students in values clarification and self-concept development
• personal counseling
• financial aid counseling
• assessing academic needs
• providing study skills assistance
• referring students to other campus services

Tutorial Services

The ACT 101 Program includes a strong tutorial component. This service is designed to supplement prior educational experience in high school or to act as a refresher for students entering the post-secondary educational system after a long absence.

To improve the basic skills of reading, writing and math, the program provides tutorial support for those courses offered by the institution and remedial activities designed to deal with individual skills development.

Once the level of basic skills has been raised, tutorial support is provided for additional courses. Tutoring at this level may be provided on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. Attention is paid not only to the mastery of content in these areas, but also to the development of efficient, productive study habits. Information is available for study skills such as test preparation, test taking skills, test anxiety, reading and remembering, time management, and note taking.

As the student acquires the skills and disciplined study habits that make him/her an independent learner, extensive tutorial contact fades in importance. However, tutors are available to ACT 101 students who need help as long as they are enrolled in the institution.

Costs:  None

There is no charge to students, and they can utilize services throughout their college careers.

Benefits to the Student

• Free academic counseling and testing
• Free tutoring
• Help planning and scheduling classes for fall and spring semesters
• Community Enrichment Series (CES) programs with an emphasis on studying smarter, not harder
• Access to free textbooks through the ACT 101 lending library
• Early class registration
  

Admission into the ACT 101 Program

Students are admitted into the ACT 101 Program throughout the academic year.  The ACT 101 staff, in cooperation with the Offices of Admissions and Student Financial Aid, identify those students who meet the academic and economic guidelines. These students are then invited by the ACT 101 staff to enroll in the Program.

Any other Saint Francis University student who is interested in receiving the services of the ACT 101 Program and believes he/she may be eligible to participate, should contact Megan Gallagher in the Academic Center for Enrichment (118 Francis Hall, ext. 3113).

All students admitted into the ACT 101 Program will complete study skills and personality assessments. They must also sign a student agreement form, accepting the requirements of attending a minimum number of counseling and tutorial sessions during their first year in the program. 

If you have any questions or if you have a disability which requires accommodations, please call 814-472-3024 or email ace@francis.edu.

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