Delaware Student Success (DSS) Texting Program

Why should I sign up?

Signing up for the Delaware Student Sucess (DSS) Texting Program will alleviate some of the stress and worries you may have about postsecondary plans. High school and graduating can be frightening, but DSS is here to help, provide guidance, and offer resources and support.

To sign up, please text SUCCESS to 302-492-2092. We look forward to working with you or your scholar to help prepare for post-graduation!

Delaware Student Success Texting Program

The Delaware Student Success (DSS) Texting Program, a Delaware Higher Education Office (DHEO) initiative, aspires to boost student success and confidence. Specifically, the program was designed for scholars to receive relevant information concerning their postsecondary aspirations and plans. To support their plans, the DSS Texting Program sends students important notifications regarding FAFSA and scholarship deadlines, AP/IB testing, apprenticeship opportunities, information pertaining to military enlistment, and more. Text messages will include links to additional resources and information.

Besides scholars, parents, guardians, and school or career counselors may also enroll in the program.

Currently, over 800 individuals are enrolled in the DSS Texting Program with over 100 high school seniors and juniors respectively.

An example of one of our text messages sent for MLK Day:

How the DSS Texting Program Works

To receive texts from Delaware Student Success (DSS), text SUCCESS to 302-492-2092. A real person from the DSS Texting Team will send and respond to messages.

All messages are scheduled for delivery in advance. Messages are scheduled for the following individuals:

  • Freshman and Sophomore Students
  • Junior Students
  • Senior Students
  • Parents/Guardians
  • School or Career Counselors

Text messages are scheduled to be delivered twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Occasionally, individuals may receive three messages in one week. Besides receiving messages, individuals may text back with any thoughts, questions, or concerns. A DSS Texting Team Member will respond to text messages as soon as possible.

Text us! We’re here to help!

Privacy

Texted information will remain private and confidential; it will not be shared with anyone.

Personally-protected data is not shared amongst the Department of Education (DOE), Institute for Public Administration (IPA), schools, parents/guardians, or scholars.

Delaware Student Success Texting FAQs

What do you text about?

Delaware Student Success’ (DSS) Texting was designed to support scholars throughout their high school careers to prepare them for their postsecondary plans. Typical topics of our text messages include, but are not limited to:

Still unsure about next steps after high school? It’s never too late to start the process of thinking about your career path! In fact, have you considered an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship provides on-the-job-training for skills and trades! Stay in the loop about apprenticeship opportunities by signing up for this newsletter!
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001IHVKTCFloR1yorLnuP6-LuoyoidsPNztYBOmmwsDqyHdLuw5VIwSWcV08Vuvvp6RGYg7Ju1Hn65cdFJQCCcBz9wChaA8RKrmdvrEjE8K_qo%3D
– Delaware Student Success

It’s time to make that Big Decision for college! You can weigh your pros and cons on each school, respond to each school, and review your financial aid plan. https://delawarestudentsuccess.org/12th-months/april/. You got this! 🙂
Let us know if you have any questions!
– Delaware Student Success

ATTENTION SENIORS! Applying for Financial Aid for help with funding college? Delaware’s deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due on MAY 15th! Check out their website for more details and let us know if you have any questions!
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Need help? Stand By Me offers free help with filling out the FAFSA form. Make sure to check out the link below.
https://standbymede.org/stand-by-me-nexgen/college-funding-project/.
– Delaware Student Success

Interested in the military? Take time to study for the ASVAB Test this summer!
https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-study-tips.html
– Delaware Student Success

Interested in a professional certification? Use this summer to take some time to job shadow some potential careers! There are shadowing opportunities in healthcare, construction, HVAC, and automotive services! Jobs for Delaware Graduates is a website that partners with local business and organizations to build opportunities with work experience. Check them out here:
https://jobsdegrads.org/experiential-learning/
– Delaware Student Success

Career and job applications will most likely require a resume or history of your high school career! So, now is a great time to start compiling a list of your extracurricular activities, work experiences, as well as accomplishments and awards into one document. Make a personalized copy from the link below!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eh0XWsZwGNyC7xehrdQm2QTYK7t496shUHp4-RdTD4w/copy.

Watch this webinar for tips and suggestions to prepare for resumes, job interviews, and cover letters.
https://delawarestudentsuccess.org/resumes-cover-letters-interviews/
Let us know if you have any questions!
– Delaware Student Success

It’s time to think about paying for college! Scholarships are a great way to get started! Spend some time this summer researching scholarships that you can apply for the fall. A great resource to start with is the Scholarship Compendium.
http://scholarships.delawarestudentsuccess.org/. Apply to as many scholarships as possible for $ for college! Let us know if you have any questions!
– Delaware Student Success

Do you only text about applying to college(s)?

No! Delaware Student Success (DSS) text messages also cater to apprenticeships, enlisting in the military, entering the workforce, and professional certifications.

So, a robot doesn’t send out the text messages?

No, a real person from the DSS Texting Team will send messages and respond to any of your thoughts, questions, and concerns.

How does the Texting Program work?

To receive texts from Delaware Student Success (DSS), text SUCCESS to 302-492-2092. A real person from the DSS Texting Team will send messages and respond to any of your thoughts, questions, and concerns.

Who can sign up to join the Delaware Student Success (DSS) Texting Program?

High school scholars, or parents and guardians of high school scholars, may sign up to receive texts from Delaware Student Success (DSS) at any time. School and career counselors may also enroll in the DSS Texting Program.

This isn’t spam?

Nope! These are authentic text messages created by the Delaware Higher Education Office (DHEO) and the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA).

Additionally, personal information is NOT shared with anyone whatsoever.

What if we have questions outside of the text messages we receive?

If you have questions related to postsecondary planning outside of the listed topics or messages you receive, please send them to 302-492-2092. Someone from the Delaware Student Success (DSS) Texting Team will get back to you as soon as possible.