WA STATE GEAR UP PROGRAM UPDATES
Updated! Expenditure Guidance. Please review the coordinator’s manual for the updated guidelines.
College Knowledge Family Newsletters. Monthly family newsletters with college readiness information for students by grade level (7-12). They come pre-loaded with info and areas to personalize! Available in English, Arabic, Chuukese, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
New! 2023 Washington State Per Diem Rate Map- Current rates as of Oct. 1, 2023. Use the old Washington State Per Diem Rate Map for rates from Oct. 1, 2022 - Sept. 30, 2023.
Important FAFSA/WASFA Changes: School counselors and other advocates should adjust financial aid outreach messaging and timelines to address the changes. WSAC offers training for your staff and helpful resources and outreach materials.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT & OUTREACH EVENTS
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Information and Filing Events. Join one of the events listed below to learn more and get help. Please note, that most events are offered virtually. Spanish events are available. Dates vary throughout fall/winter.
NACAC College Fairs: 10/24: Spokane.
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2023 Fall Counselor Workshop Slide Decks. Find the presentations from the Fall Counselor Workshops.
OSPI-WSAC Webinar Series. See the link for topics and dates.
PNACAC College Counseling 101 Sessions. Open to school/college counselors, consultants, CBOs, career center specialists, transfer center coordinators, and other PNACAC members working with secondary school or transfer-seeking students. Membership is free for individuals from public school communities. See the link for details.
NACAC College Fairs: 10/24: Spokane.
Webinar: What You Need to Know: FAFSA Simplification Act. By Aim Higher WA. Oct. 12, 10 AM.
2023 NCAN National Conference. Dallas, Oct. 16-18.
Webinar: Strategies to Support Transitions to Higher Ed (Foster/Homeless). By SchoolHouse Connection. Oct. 20, 10 AM.
GEAR UP West Conference. Spokane, Oct. 22-24. Update: The Conference Website is Now LIVE! Find the most current version of the session list, keynote bios, and more. Register and book your lodging now for the early bird rate!
Webinar: Middle School College and Career Readiness. By ACT. Oct. 24, 9 AM.
Save the Date: 2024 WSCA Conference. Mar. 6-8, SeaTac.
RESOURCES
WAGU Featured Resource: Getting Ready for Campus Visits: A GEAR UP Handbook for Providing Campus Visits for Middle and High School Students. Includes best practices and resources to help plan meaningful on-campus experiences. Contains replicable, customizable tools. See also: Grade-Level Campus Visit Benchmarks
Better FAFSA/WASFA flyers. Educators and advocates can conveniently email or print flyers for students and families and help spread the word. (Print-Friendly Version)
Tools for Supporting K-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness and From High School ➡️ Postsecondary: Resources to Support Homeless Students. Find resources from SchoolHouse Connection.
Learn More About Making A College List. From OR Goes to College. Before students apply to college, they need to make a list of colleges that interest them and meet their needs. There are 5 steps to making a list.
SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/educators/scholarships.
Scholarship Junkies’ Free Scholarship Bank. Scholarship Junkies has launched their brand-new Scholarship Bank! This organization is a reputable and safe source to search for scholarships.
2024 YoungArts Award Competition. Open to artists (1) between the ages of 15–18 or in high school grades 10–12 (as of December 1, 2023) (2) that are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. and (3) that demonstrate excellence in Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice or Writing. Winners receive cash awards, and opportunities to work with renowned artists and become eligible for creative and professional development support throughout their careers. Due Oct.13.
U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominations for Overall Achievement Award. Schools may nominate one student who identifies as female and one as male. Candidates should have demonstrated leadership; school and community involvement; academic and extracurricular achievement and writing skills. Nominees may receive discretionary points for extraordinary scholastic achievement, long-lasting commitment to community service, heavy workload, additional family responsibilities, or significant obstacles that they overcame. Submit a nomination form and writing sample by Oct. 20.
The Washington State Volunteer Service Awards. Honor the many acts of kindness individuals, families, service groups and organizations perform in communities across the state of Washington. Due Dec. 22.
College Scholarship, Brief Description, and Due Date
Horatio Alger Scholarship - National
($25,000) - For HS students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.
10/25
Horatio Alger Scholarship - State
($10,000) – For HS students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.
10/25
Complete a series of Financial Genius for Life online learning modules for a chance to win.
10/30
Disney Dreamers Academy Applications
(Academy) - This 4-day, power-packed event is for 100 selected HS students. Should be 13-19, inspired, motivated, and prepared to dream big.
10/31
($2,000) - In 250 words or less respond to the question: "Imagine that your HS or college has been overrun with zombies. Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies, and even your best friend have all joined the Walking Dead. Flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you’d hide and the top five things you’d bring to stay alive."
10/31
Voice of Democracy Scholarship.
($30,000) This audio-essay program provides HS students with the unique opportunity to express themselves regarding a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.
10/31
Elks Most Valuable Student Competition
Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year. For students pursuing a 4-year degree, on a full-time basis.
11/13
Odenza Marketing Group Scholarship
($500) Must submit 2 small essays, one related to travel, & the other on why they deserve a scholarship. Must be 16-25, w/ 2.5 GPA or greater. US citizenship is required.
11/15
($500) - In 10 words or less, say why you deserve the scholarship.
11/15
NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing
For 9th-12th graders who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions.
11/20
SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership and Scholarship Program
For youth who have experienced homelessness. Assists with financial aid processes, mental health advocacy and referrals, professional legal advocacy and referrals, and assistance in locating and establishing local contacts for general support and services. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible.
11/24
(Full Tuition) - Act Six will award 14 of Portland-Salem's most promising community leaders full scholarships worth up to $200,000 to two partner colleges: George Fox University and Warner Pacific College. Act Six scholars are chosen through a rigorous, highly competitive, three-phase selection process that spans four months.
11/28
(Full Tuition) - Act Six will award 18 of Tacoma-Seattle’s most promising urban leaders full scholarships worth up to $245,000 to five partner colleges: Gonzaga University, Northwest University, Pacific Lutheran University, St. Martin's University, and Whitworth University. Act Six scholars are chosen through a rigorous, highly competitive, three-phase selection process that spans four months.
11/28
(Full Tuition) - Act Six will award 15 of Yakima Valley’s most promising community leaders full scholarships worth up to $240,000 to three partner colleges. ACT Six scholars are chosen through a rigorous, highly competitive, three-phase selection process that spans four months.
11/28
($5,000) - In 250 words or less respond to the question: "What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?" Must be 14 years of age or older to apply. Must be a legal U.S. resident. Must reside in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
11/30