WA STATE GEAR UP PROGRAM UPDATES
Reminder: Senior Exit Survey. The survey window is open now through Monday, May 8. WSAC expects that a minimum of 90% of seniors complete the survey. You’ll receive a weekly update from Vela to help you track students. Thank you.
Action Required: WAGU Grant IV Wrap-Up Workshop! June 17-18, Wenatchee. All WAGU-paid staff and lead administrators are welcome to attend. See the 4/8 email for the registration link and travel guidance.
College Knowledge Family Newsletters. Monthly newsletters for students by grade level. Pre-loaded with info and areas to personalize! Available in English, Arabic, Chuukese, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
STEM Signing Day. Know an HS senior who’s planning on pursuing STEM at a college or a university? Encourage them to apply to be a part of STEM Signing Day! Apply by April 28!
STUDENT RECRUITMENT & OUTREACH EVENTS
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Information & Filing Events. Most events are virtual. Spanish events are available.
PNACAC Spring College Fair. 4/25- Everett (poster), 4/30-Portland (poster).
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Webinar: Embarking on the Journey: Washington High Schools Guiding College Transitions. Hosted by the Council of Presidents and Admissions Directors at Washington’s public, four-year institutions. April 25, 9:45-11:00 AM.
Dual Credit Office Hours. Join OSPI a, SBCTC, and COP. Hear the latest updates and information. May 1, 3 PM
Virtual: Annual Passport to Careers Conference. Early bird registration is open! May 14.
Webinar: Legislative Updates. By OSPI-WSAC. May 15, 9:00-10:30 AM
PNACAC Conference: Where It All Began. May 22 - 24, Salem, OR.
NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. July 21-24, Washington, DC.
GEAR UP West. Oct. 27 – 29, Albuquerque, NM.
Resources
WAGU Featured Resource: College & Armed Services Pennants. Download for your senior signing day activities.
Create a Budget Google Doc. By OR Goes To College Resource. Make a budget to estimate and track your income and expenses in college.
AXS Toolbox for Counselors. By AXS. The AXS Toolbox is a free, versatile resource designed to empower counselors in assisting students through the Common App journey. Packed with customizable lesson plans, engaging video tutorials, interactive student worksheets, and a wealth of resources, the AXS Toolbox utilizes the AXS Companion to streamline the counseling process.
College Uncovered. College Uncovered, from GBH News in collaboration with The Hechinger Report, pulls back the ivy on American higher education, exposing the problems, pitfalls and risks — and helping you navigate them.
In the News
Many In Gen Z Ditch Colleges For Trade Schools. Meet The 'Toolbelt Generation'
Student Debt Is Haunting Americans From Graduation To Retirement
The Supreme Court Case That Could Turn Homelessness Into A Crime, Explained
How Are College Costs Adding Up These Days And How Much Has Tuition Risen? Graphics Explain
Universities And Colleges That Need To Fill Seats Start Offering A Helping Hand To Student-Parents
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.
Scholarship, Brief Description, and Due Date
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 freshmen or current, full-time undergraduates 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.
4/30
The FIRST x AISES scholarship is a new initiative designed to provide Indigenous students pursuing STEM studies in higher education.
4/30
ETV Program (For youth in foster care)
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? ETV offers financial assistance to eligible youth (up to $5,000 per academic year and $2,000 for dual credit). To meet the priority deadline, apply by Apr. 30. All applications received after will be awarded on a funds-available basis.
4/30
Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship Fund
For students who demonstrate resiliency in the face of hardship and give back to their communities. Scholarship recipients can use the money to cover tuition and related educational expenses. Students are welcome to re-apply yearly, from admission to graduation. Scholarship awards vary.
4/30
($200 - $100,000) - The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition that invites students aged 4 to 18 around the world to use kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help solve a real-life problem and make a difference in the world.
5/1
($2,500) For graduating HS seniors and current college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Must submit a short essay on the following topic: "How did growing up with a pet in your life (could be a friend's or family member's) impact the person you are today?"
5/1
Funding for tuition, fees, and other educational costs in exchange for working as a nurse at an eligible Critical Shortage Facility for two years upon graduation.
5/2
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th-grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.
5/9
$2000 scholarships for students who have a 3.0 GPA and who know how to knit, crochet, or weave.
5/24
Humane Education Network: A Voice for Animals HS Essay Contest
For HS students (ages 14-19). $150-$650. Rules & requirements may vary from year to year.
5/31
($1,500) - In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: "May is the fifth month of the year. Write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. Be serious or be funny. Either way, here's a high five to you for being original." Must be 14 years of age or older at the time of application.
5/31
($1,000) A scholarship to help you pay for college! The "College Is Power" scholarship is open to students aged 17 and older who are currently in college or plan to start college within the next 12 months. Use the scholarship to pay for tuition, books, room and board, computers, or anything else related to your education!
5/31
UW Young Executives of Color Program
YEOC is a nine-month college pipeline program hosted by the University of Washington Foster School of Business. The program currently serves 190 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from 75 schools in the state of Washington. Students attend sessions on the UW campus one Saturday every month for college preparation, business lectures, professional development, and powerful mentorship. YEOC is a FREE nine-month program. The only cost to students is transportation to UW Seattle.
5/31
American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship
Full Circle Scholarship: The American Indian College Fund supports American Indian and Alaska Native college students seeking technical, undergraduate, and graduate degrees at tribal colleges and other nonprofit, accredited schools. Any Native American U.S. citizen that is a member or descendant of a state or federally recognized tribe with at least a 2.0 grade point average, and enrolled as a full-time student can apply for a scholarship.
5/31
A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
($1,000) - This scholarship is awarded to American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian AISES members pursuing degrees in the sciences, engineering, medicine, natural resources, math & technology. Students are required to submit 3 essays (prompts provided), up to 1,000 words each.
5/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, graduate school students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older.
5/31
Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program
For native students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Technology (Associate of Applied Science Degree).
6/1
Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates
(Up to $5,000) - For college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who hold a current GPA of 2.7 or higher with up to $5,000 for one year of study in any chosen major at any accredited institution in the US.
6/1
Stuck At Prom Scholarship Contest
($10,000) - This is the coolest scholarship contest around! Students are challenged to create and wear their prom outfits made entirely from Duck Tape for the chance to win scholarship cash!
6/5
National First-Generation Recognition Program
From College Board. For HS students whose parent(s) does not have a bachelor’s degree or has some education that is less than a bachelor’s degree.
6/14
2024 Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Win a life-changing $250,000 college scholarship! For 13–18-year-olds who are good at explaining math or science. To enter, they must create a less than 2 min. video explaining a key concept in math, physics, or life sciences for a chance to win a prize for them, their teacher, and their school.
6/25
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
A $2,500 scholarship is offered to an HS graduate continuing his or her education in the aviation industry.
6/28
Geoscience IDEA Scholarship (formerly AWG Minority Scholarship)
The scholarship provides up to $5000 in awards, annually, typically split between two or more undergraduate students, and matches them with AWG mentors to enhance their careers. It also includes a one-year, sponsored, AWG student membership.
6/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: "If you could get one 'do-over' in life, what would it be and why?"
6/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Fall Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
6/30
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
($1,500) -Summer and ice cream go hand-in-hand. July is National Ice Cream Month, and that's the inspiration behind this award. We think people are very similar to ice cream; some are nutty, others a little exotic, while some are very comforting. If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?" (250 words or less)
7/31
($1,500) - Make Me Laugh is a fun scholarship that lets you cut loose and lighten things up. Looking for a scholarship for comedians? Now is your chance to show us your funny bone. Perhaps you always have an embarrassing - but funny - story to share. Great! We'll promise to laugh with you, not at you. Must be 14 years of age or older at the time of application.
8/31
Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship
($2,500) For students currently enrolled in an eligible program and prospective students planning to enroll in an eligible program before the scholarship deadline.
9/1