Shelton Promise reports high retention, $350,000 in student aid from first cohort

Shelton Promise staff updated the Shelton School District board on the program’s first cohort and plans for expansion, saying the pilot enrolled 53 students and provided more than $350,000 in aid to support tuition gaps and living costs.

Monourir Fatami, the program manager, said the aid translated to an average of about $6,000 per student and that the program achieved ‘‘exceptional retention,’’ citing 99% retention from fall to winter and 93% from winter to spring for the cohort. Fatami described student highlights including leadership events, study abroad opportunities and an intern who became a Shelton Promise staff member.

Chelsea Cornwall Brady and Fatami said the two-year pilot is funded for the current cohorts but that continuing the program beyond the initial two-cohort commitment will require new funding. They said Evergreen State College and local partners are seeking other support and that aspects they are likely to preserve include waving application fees and cohort-based onboarding.

A Shelton Promise student, Abraham Cruz Santos, told the board the program made college realistic: "I didn't think we would have the money for that...It really made my life easier," he said, and added he plans to pursue teaching and return to Shelton.

Board members thanked the presenters for data and asked for ongoing updates. One director expressed interest in continued reporting of retention numbers and pledged to stay informed about funding options over the summer.

Presenters said they expect a second cohort of roughly 50–60 students in the fall, and that the program will return to the board with details about long-term financing and any adjustments to the model.