STUDENT RECRUITMENT & OUTREACH EVENTS
12th Year Campaign Financial Aid Information & Filing Events. Most events are virtual. Spanish events are available.
Class of 2024: Financial Aid Completion Night. Get help correcting or completing your FAFSA or WASFA! English and Spanish. Apr. 10, 5:30-7:30 PM.
NACAC Spring 2024 National College Fair. 4/21-Virtual.
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).
Class of 2025: Financial Aid Night. It's time to take your first steps to applying for financial aid! Learn more about your options for paying for education after high school and resources to support you. Take your first step at this event by creating your FSA ID or WASFA account with help from WSAC staff. English and Spanish. May 22, 5:30-6:30 PM.
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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.
Discussion Lab: Getting Ready for the Senior Scaries? Join the Discussion! By NCCEP. Apr. 18, 10 AM.
Webinar: Embarking on the Journey: Washington High Schools Guiding College Transitions. Hosted by the Council of Presidents and Directors of Admissions at Washington’s public, four-year institutions. April 25, 9:45-11:00 AM.
The Rural Summit 2024: From Cradle to Career. Apr. 28 - May 1, Lexington, KY.
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.
Save The Date: GEAR UP West. Oct. 27 – 29, Albuquerque, NM.
Resources
WAGU Featured Resource: Graduate Handbook: Next Steps for First-Year Students. This student guide contains information on critical next steps. Available in Spanish.
Make Your Decision Google Doc. From OR Goes to College. Compare colleges and reflect on your preferences and needs before deciding where to attend college.
Class of 2024 Graduation Toolkit | Toolkit FAQ | Updated High School and Beyond Plan Template. From OSPI. All resources are available under the Class of 2024 drop-down tab on the OSPI Graduation webpage.
Master Any AP® Exam with a Personalized Free Study Plan. Parents, help your teens prepare for their AP®︎ Exams with Khan Academy's free personalized study plans! Confidence for the exam is just 15 minutes a day away. Get plans for AP®︎ U.S. History, Biology, Chemistry, and more. Grab them for free!
The Truth About the Admissions Landscape. David Hawkins, NACAC's chief education and policy officer, and Rick Clark discuss policies and issues impacting students, families, & admission professionals, as well as how to frame the value of college for the general public.
College Signing Day 2024 season is finally here! Whether a student plans to attend a community college, a 4-year university, a certificate program, the military, or any other education past high school, College Signing Day is all about celebrating students making decisions for their future.
IN THE NEWS
Preventing Big College Enrollment Declines Means FAFSA Completion Support This Spring and Summer
Vague School Rules At The Root Of Millions Of Student Suspensions
‘Distrust, Detection & Discipline:’ New Data Reveals Teachers’ ChatGPT Crackdown
Students Think Social Media Is Fine, But Teachers See A Mental Health Minefield
How Are High Schools Supporting Students Through FAFSA Delays?
On-The-Job Training Prevails As Students’ Disinterest In College Grows
Idaho Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Idaho Libraries Move ‘Harmful Materials’
Improving The School Finance System In Washington State: Why, When, And How?
Report: How Colleges Can Contribute To Rural Pathways For Careers
Indiana Lawmakers Ban Cellphones In Class. Now It's Up To Schools To Figure Out How
A Bungled FAFSA Rollout Threatens Students’ College Ambitions
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.
Get Schooled’s Resilient Roots $2000 Scholarship. For HS seniors/Class of 2024. To apply, share an experience that has helped you grow resilient roots and how that resilience will help you achieve your future goals! Due Apr. 15.
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? 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 Apr. 30 will be awarded on a funds-available basis.
NURSE Corps Scholarship. 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. Due May 2.
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. Due Jun. 14.
College Scholarship, Brief Description and Due Date
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 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
($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
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
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. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
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
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