STUDENT RECRUITMENT & OUTREACH EVENTS
uAspire Virtual Financial Aid Help Events. Free virtual events to walk students and families.
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Information & Filing Events. Most events are virtual. Spanish events are available.
Students of Color Career Conference. This one-of-a-kind conference brings MS &HS students from across Western WA to network with professionals of color to discuss college and career readiness. Mar. 21 at Everett CC.
NACAC Spring 2024 National College Fair. 3/24-Virtual, 4/21-Virtual.
Webinar: The Roadmap to Success: Preparing Early for Your Best College Experience. By ACT & Collegewise. Apr. 2, 4 PM.
Class of 2024 Financial Aid Night. Get help correcting or completing your FAFSA or WASFA. Hosted on Zoom in English and Spanish. Apr.10, 5:30-7:30 PM.
PNACAC Spring College Fair. 4/19-Spokane (Download poster), 4/22-Seattle (poster), 4/25- Everett (poster), 4/30-Portland (poster).
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How To Viz Map: The Visual Mapping Technique. From Seeds Training. Introducing a powerful, brain-friendly tool for taking notes (and more) that can boost grades quickly. ATTENTION EDUCATORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS: This course is NEW for 2024 and it's a great way to invest in your students and kids. This $10 offer is the lowest price this course will ever be.
Webinar: FAFSA Fixes And How To Use Them. By NCAN & uAspire. Mar. 26, 10:30 AM.
Webinar: Better FAFSA, Better Future Webinar. By ED. Mar. 26, 12:30 PM
Webinar: Family Engagement + Attendance: Two Sides of the Same Coin . By Attendance Works, Learning Heroes, and the Flamboyan Foundation. Mar. 28, Noon.
Webinar: How Our Institutions are Accommodating and Navigating the Delay in Higher Education Financial Aid for 2024. By LEV. Live Spanish interpretation and closed captioning in English will be provided. Mar 28, 12:30 PM
College Counseling 101 Webinar: Tips for Advising Prospective Student-Athletes. Open to PNACAC members only. Intended for Secondary/High School Counselors. Apr. 11, 9:00 AM
Free & Virtual: NCAN Spring Institute 2024: Pursuing Effective Advising For Every Student. Open and free of charge to NCAN members and non-members alike! Includes a week of programming exploring how college access programs, K-12 districts and schools, postsecondary institutions, and states can best support students for a postsecondary pathway. Apr. 15-19.
Virtual: Annual Passport to Careers Conference. Early bird registration is open! May 14.
PNACAC Conference: Where It All Began. May 22 - 24, Salem, OR.
NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. July 21-24, Washington, DC.
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
Enrollment Deadlines Directory 2024. More than 400 NACAC member institutions have shared their updated fall 2024 enrollment deadlines in our public directory. The directory is updated daily.
2023 Healthy Youth Survey Data Now Available - Looks Hopeful! The statewide 2023 Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) results are now available, representing the voices of over 217,000 Washington students in grades 6-12. The survey focuses on the health and well-being of young people. In 2023, students reported improved health behaviors and mental health along with increased social support. While concerns remain, the findings suggest positive changes in adolescent health and well-being.
Financial Literacy & Asset-based Engagement. Miss the financial literacy webinar last week? In this webinar, you will learn strategies for how students can avoid financial pitfalls, the impacts financial education has on students of color, and the role of course requirements. Includes info on how to implement strategies in schools and with the community Free Clock Hours are still available.
Commonly Requested Financial Aid Resources and Links:
Student and their families can find financial aid application support at our 12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Student and Parent Events List.
Federal Student Aid’s Pro Tips for the 2024–25 FAFSA to support students and families.
Who’s the Parent for Financial Aid Purposes English and Spanish.
Financial Aid 101 Presentation available in English and Spanish.
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Padlet includes the latest information and resources
Please join WSAC Wednesday for more updates.
IN THE NEWS
One Locale To Help Students With Basic Living Insecurities (Edmonds College)
Learning Loss May Cost Students Billions In Future Earnings. How Districts Are Responding (Elma)
The SAT Is Coming Back To Some Schools. It Is Stressing Everyone Out.
What Students With Physical Disabilities Should Look For In A College
Biden Administration Wants Accreditors To Set Benchmarks For Student Outcomes
I’m A College Access Professional. I Had No Idea Filling Out The New FAFSA Would Be So Tough
On-The-Job Training Prevails As Students’ Disinterest In College Grows
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.
Summer Melt Scholarship. The GEAR UP Alumni Association is offering $500 scholarships to 25 GEAR UP high school seniors who will be entering a postsecondary education this fall. Students must be part of a GEAR UP program and provide proof of acceptance / enrollment at a higher education institution. Students who need support to pay for various fees are encouraged to apply. Due Apr. 7.
ETV Program is Accepting 2024-2025 Applications. Do you know students experiencing foster care who are planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical, vocational, or dual credit high school program? The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program offers financial assistance to eligible youth (up to $5,000 per academic year and $2,000 for dual credit)! To learn more about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the 2024–2025 school year, please visit the ETV webpage or feel free to email ETVWash@dcyf.wa.gov with questions. To meet the priority deadline, apply by Apr. 30. All applications received after Apr. 30 will be awarded on a funds available basis.
Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. (Whidbey Island) Applications are currently open for student attendees and teacher/mentors. The application deadlines are May 17 for students and April 26 for teacher/mentors. Students will explore topics related to maritime heritage and the impact of climate change on the preservation of historic and cultural resources. There will be opportunities to engage in hands-on activities to help conservation efforts, visit historic sites throughout the Reserve, learn about co-management of cultural resources, and to better understand this historic area. July 16-19.
College Scholarship, Brief Description and Due Date
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program
For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be accepted to an accredited 4-year institution. Up to $20,000 per year. Renewable for 4 years.
3/29
National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program
($3,000-$12,000) – For blind scholars. All scholarships awarded are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.
3/31
LULAC National Scholarship Fund
Designed to help youth in underserved communities make the dream of college enrollment a reality.
3/31
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Summer Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
3/31
This Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest is an annual competition for college-bound HS seniors. The grand prize winner receives $5,000, with additional prizes awarded for runners-up.
4/1
(Up to $15,000 per Year) - These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who can do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement.
4/1
STEM Stars Actuarial Scholarship Program
($20,000). The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program was created to help increase diversity in the actuarial profession.
4/1
American Foreign Service Association National HS Essay Contest
For 9-12th graders. Must submit an essay related to Foreign Service. The winner receives $2,500 a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet the Secretary of State, and full tuition for a Semester at Sea educational voyage.
4/1
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The program provides full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food science, natural resource science, or a related academic discipline at one of 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.
4/10
($1,000-$3,500) For HS seniors graduating in Southwest Washington. Applicant must be currently enrolled or will be enrolled in Clark College, Lower Columbia College, or Mt. Hood Community College.
4/12
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
Scholarships are awarded annually and must be used at one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Each award provides full tuition, as well as room and board, for the term of the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.
4/15
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
($10,000) - Honoring outstanding young leaders (ages 8-18) currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months. Student needs to be working as an individual to lead their service work. The Barron Prize does not accept applications from large groups of young people.
4/15
($500-$2,500) - Incight awards up to one hundred scholarships to students with disabilities, who have demonstrated outstanding merit in giving back to the community and overcoming obstacles to pursue higher education. These scholarships range in value from $500 to $2,500. Open to students who are residents of OR, WA, or CA.
4/15
LEAP Rise Above (aka LEAP1%) Scholarship Fund
The Latine Educational Achievement Project Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who demonstrate a history of advocacy, responsibility, accountability, and perseverance; are go-getters, and have shown or have the strong potential to be contributors to their community.
4/15
SEA-MAR - Farm Worker Scholarship
For students who work or have worked OR whose parent/legal guardian is or has worked as a farm worker.
4/15
WWIN Star Scholar (Formerly - Washington Women in Need Education Grant)
Each WWIN Star Scholar receives up to $5,000 per academic year and up to $20,000 over her undergraduate college career at the approved Washington college or university of her choice. For females 18 and older.
4/18
Chin: Shui Kuen & Allen Chin Scholarship
For incoming freshman or current, full-time undergraduate at a four-year college or university. Student or parent currently/formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant. Any ethnic heritage.
Community advocacy and social justice work on behalf of Asian American, immigrant, gay and lesbian, and/or other progressive causes
4/26
Washington Association of County Officials
($3,000) - The fund awards up to three $3,000 scholarships to eligible children of county employees and county elected officials in the following offices: assessors, auditors, clerks, coroners, medical examiners, prosecutors, sheriffs, and treasurers. Recipients must be full-time students in a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, or vocational/technical certification program.
4/30
All About Education Scholarship
($3,000) - In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: "How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?"
4/30
($1,000) - Complete the application form including a 140-character message about e-waste. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full-length 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste.