WA STATE GEAR UP PROGRAM UPDATES
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.
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.
CASHE Conference. Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) is a leadership conference by MECHA de WSU that encourages HS students of all Chicanx/Latinx backgrounds to pursue higher education. Nov. 10-12, WSU Pullman.
NACAC's November Virtual College Fair. Get connected with colleges and universities…without leaving home! Nov. 12.
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Webinar: Question the Quo: Gen Z and Postsecondary Education Trends and Insights. By OR GEAR UP. Nov. 8, 1 PM.
Webinar: Talking to Gen Z and Families About the Cost of College. By OR GEAR UP. Nov. 14, 3:30 PM.
Webinar: Tier II Solutions for Student Well-Being. By OSPI GATE. Nov. 8, 10 AM.
Do you want your team to take a deeper look at Tier II Solutions for Student Well-being? OSPI has crafted activities that take 5-10 minutes, 20-30 minutes, and 90 minutes for you! See their: Care Package.
Webinar: Did the Class of 2022 rebound? Exploring NSC’s HS Benchmarks Report 2023. By NCAN and NSC. Free and open to the public. Nov. 9, 9 AM.
Virtual: Discussion Lab: Communicating with Families. By NCCEP. Nov. 9, 11 AM.
CASHE Conference. Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) is a leadership conference by MECHA de WSU that encourages HS students of all Chicanx/Latinx backgrounds to pursue higher education. Nov. 10-12, WSU Pullman.
Webinar: Get FREE Virtual Training on the Better FAFSA. By NCAN. Nov. 20, 10 AM.
Virtual: MAD-learn Student Showcase. In honor of #CSEdWeek, MAD-learn is organizing a virtual app Student Showcase, exclusively for NCCEP members. Dec. 7, Noon.
Virtual: National GEAR UP Academy. By NCCEP. Feb 12- 15.
2024 WSCA Conference. Mar. 6-8, SeaTac.
RESOURCES
WAGU Featured Resource: Considering A Gap Year? For current high school seniors, here is what you need to know about taking a gap year or deferring enrollment before making a decision.
PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment). PAVE provides support, training, resources, and community for students with disabilities and families.
Guidelines for Aligning High School & Beyond Plans (HSBP) & IEP Transition Plans. From OSPI. Find transition planning resources for educators and students.
Inform Homeless Youth About the FAFSA With An Email Template + Other FAFSA Resources. Find comprehensive FAFSA-related resources to help youth, K-12 educators, homeless service providers, and higher ed professionals understand, prepare, and fill out the FAFSA.
The College Admissions Process. From Khan Academy. This series breaks down every step of the process, with advice compiled from College Admissions Officers across the US.
CareerOneStop’s Get My Future. Find youth-focused career exploration tools and resources from the US DOL.
IN THE NEWS
Portland Community College Launches Mobile Welding Outreach & Skills Training Center
Home Schooling Has Gone From Fringe To Fastest-Growing In Education
Biden Order On Ai Tackles Tech-Enabled Discrimination In Schools
Portland Public Schools Strike Draws 1000s Of Teachers To Picket Lines, And Emotions Run High
School Culture Wars Give Rise To Candidates And Activists Defending LGBTQ+ Rights
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 Essay Review. Get Schooled helps you with your essays for college applications and scholarships. Submit your personal statement, supplemental college application essays, and scholarship essays for feedback. They will provide actionable suggestions and feedback within one week.
College Scholarship, Brief Description, and Due Date
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.
11/30
National Honor Society Scholarship
Up to $25,000 for HS seniors who are members in good standing of an affiliated NHS chapter.
11/30
($20,000) – For low-income, highly motivated students who are better than their numbers indicate and demonstrate the drive to succeed despite personal obstacles. Winners have demonstrated grit, potential, and ambition in their quest for a college education.
12/1
National Space Club Keynote Scholarship
$15,000 scholarship and an opportunity to give a keynote address for students who are interested in STEM fields.
12/4
Point Foundation: The Point Flagship Scholarship
Empower LGBTQ students who are earning their undergraduate, graduate, & doctoral degrees at accredited colleges in the US.
12/5
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Scholarships
Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 28 categories of art and writing.
12/7
Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship
$1,000 – For any current or soon-to-be undergraduate student who has had their life altered due to an injury from a car or truck accident, be it their injury that of a loved one, or an influential individual.
12/15
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.
12/22
For students in grades K-12 to participate in the 2024 NASA Langley Art Contest, using the theme “Connect the Dots.”
12/31
($1,500) - In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: "Create a Top Ten List of the top ten reasons you should get this scholarship."
12/31
A $2000 scholarship for a HS junior or senior living in OR or WA.
12/31
($10,000) - Submit an online written response to the question: Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? Why?" (250 words or less)
12/31
For current and future leaders LGBTQIA and straight ally community from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
1/6
Awards 20 or more scholarships annually for $40,000 to extraordinary African American students must attend a four-year accredited college or university within the United States.
1/9
($2,500-$20,000) - Provides scholarships to underserved APIA students with a special focus on those who: Live at or below the poverty level or are otherwise of low socioeconomic status; Are the first in their families to attend college; Are representative of the APIA community’s diversity (geographically and ethnically), especially those ethnicities that have been underrepresented on college campuses due to limited access and opportunity; and have placed a strong emphasis on community service, leadership, and solid academic achievement.
1/9
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
($35,000) - Awarded to outstanding HS graduates who plan to earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
1/10
Over 1,000 scholarships with/ just one application available to FFA members.
1/11
($8,000) - The average annual award amount for each scholar is $8,000. In addition, GSBA invests in our scholars' leadership development through annual programs and workshops.
1/12
For HS juniors. Successful applicants have a strong drive and commitment to their education and demonstrate maturity, curiosity, resilience, and leadership.
1/24
For HS juniors for their academic, personal, and service achievements. This three-year, no-student-cost program helps students get into college, transition to college, succeed while in college, and transition to the post-college world.
1/26
Truman D. Picard Scholarship for Native Students
Dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing a higher education in Natural Resources.
1/26
For WA State HS students with disabilities planning to continue their education after they graduate. Scholars prepare for their transition to college—which includes exploring careers, independence, self-advocacy, and leadership. Is open to high school sophomores or juniors.
1/30