The mission of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is to promote professional growth, access, advocacy, and outreach to help all students realize their post-secondary education goals. In support of their mission, they have introduced a new membership model, Free Access Membership. All public high school and community based organization college access counselors and staff are invited to join SACAC at no cost through their Free Access Membership. Interested in joining SACAC as a new member? Register for access here.
Current SACAC members working in public high schools and community based organizations will be eligible for the Free Access Membership in the next membership cycle which runs September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023.
Who Qualifies for Free Access Membership?
Public High School College Access Counselors and Staff
Any staff member supporting students and families with post-secondary college planning at a public high school in the SACAC region* that provides free education through public funds.
Non-Profit/Community-Based Organizations College Access Counselors and Staff
For professionals who work for a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) in the SACAC region* that serves students and promotes or provides access to higher education. Must have been in business for the past three years.
SACAC Region*
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Caribbean
Why should someone consider joining SACAC?
The Southern Association for College Admission Counseling is dedicated to supporting counseling and enrollment professionals as they help students transition from high school to higher education.SACAC includes counselors, college admission officers, and independent counselors from high schools, colleges, and organizations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and the Caribbean. Their 1,700 members promote high professional standards by exchanging ideas, sharing goals, preparing counselors to serve students, and adhering to a set of ethical guidelines and practices. They are an affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), which represents over 10,000 members worldwide.
Benefits To You:
SACAC provides an array of tools to keep members connected with seminars and workshops. Stay in touch electronically through their email lists. Members also have access to their full membership directory, allowing them to reach out directly to their peers. Take advantage of their online Knowledge Center, where you’ll find an array of articles and resources that will help you do your job better. You can become or find a mentor. They will pair you at the beginning of your careers with veterans who can offer “beginning of your career” advice. Southern Scope, their blog, helps keep our members informed and provides updates on the profession and anything SACAC related. You even have the opportunity to write and share your own article to contribute to Southern Scope. Grants: SACAC tries to provide funding for members with limited budgets to attend the Annual Conference, workshops, and programs. Government Relations: They keep you up-to-date on legislative happenings in the region and in your state and provide opportunities and information for members to reach out to state leaders on issues related to higher education preparation, financing, and access. Outreach to students: Their Extending the Dream fund targets students in their communities, helping their parents and counselors prepare them for college. They also organize Mini Camp College Workshops, where admission officers and school counselors from throughout the Southeast present information on planning for college admissions. Topics include the college search, making the best use of the next day’s college fair, and the scholarship/financial aid process.
Interested in joining? Register for membership here.
