North Region Scholarships

North Region Scholarships

Help Applying For Scholarships, Paying For College

 

We’re excited to share these upcoming scholarships with students residing in the North region of CA! Whether you’re ready to start the application process today or not, the Let’s Go team advises that you save these opportunities and get connected with the organizations who allocate these funds to further support your education. 

 

As always, good luck with the process! If you have any questions or would like to access additional scholarship opportunities, follow us on Instagram @gotocollegeca

Dare To Dream Scholarship

 

Each year the Dare-to-Dream Scholarship Program provides higher education funding opportunities for a number of current or former foster high school graduates and GED recipients in VOA’s service areas. Scholarships are given to former foster youth who are motivated to attend college in order to build emotional, financial and social security.

 

Eligibility: 

  • Current or former foster youth living or have lived in Northern California
  • Be a 2023 graduating high school student or has already earned a high school diploma or GED
  • Accepted or expects to be accepted to an accredited 4-year college/university, community college or vocational program
  • Current GPA of 2.0 or higher

Deadline

April 14, 2023

 

Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship

 

Each year, CLF selects 40-45 students to be part of the Leadership & Scholarship Program. As a recipient, awardees will participate in a year long program in the following ways: 

 

  • Awardees will attend all Leadership Institute sessions in August 2023 and February 2024
  • Awardees will receive a scholarship of $1,500, which is split into two payments.
  • Awardees will be invited to attend the Annual Award Dinner in January 2024.
  • Awardees will act as CLF Ambassador for 10 hours during the 2024 Application cycle by completing outreach on their campuses

 

Eligibility: 

  • Self-identify as a Chicana and/or Latina
  • Be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or community college in one of the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, San Francisco, Sonoma, or Yolo
  • Commit to attending the CLF Leadership Institute Sessions & CLF Annual Awards Dinner
  • Commit to volunteering 10 hours as a CLF ambassador before March 2024

Amount Awarded

$1,500

 

Deadline

March 31, 2023

10,000 Degrees Scholarship

10,000 Degrees proudly provides scholarships to students with significant financial need who exhibit a strong desire to go to college and accomplish their educational goals. Scholarship recipients will receive one-to-one support from trained Fellows who provide the student with ongoing mentorship both on campus and off during their entire college journey. After a student graduates, they will also have access to Career and Alumni Success services, and will be invited to stay connected to 10,000 Degrees through their Alumni LinkedIn group and Young Professionals and Alumni Council networking group! 

Eligibility: 

  • Must demonstrate financial need in pursuit of your first associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, teaching credential, or certification for a technical program
  • Must be enrolled in 12 academic units or more
  • Must be a student in the Bay Area: Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa, and Lake counties.
  • Must have completed either the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application

Amount Awarded

$1,500

 

Deadline 

Rolling-basis until all funds are distributed

 

Don & Roy Splawn Scholarship

The Don and Roy Splawn Charitable Foundation West Scholarship Grant Program is open to financially disadvantaged students who wish to further their pursuit of post secondary education; whether it be of an academic or vocational nature.

Eligibility: 

  • Must be a High School Senior
  • CA resident
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Must have a 2.6 GPA and above
  • Must engage in paid or unpaid Community Service Extracurricular Activities

Amount Awarded

$200 – $2,000

 

Deadline 

April 9, 2023

Advancing College Opportunity for Justice-Impacted Students

Advancing College Opportunity for Justice-Impacted Students

College Success

Building a strong prison-to-school pipeline is necessary as we continue fighting for equal access to higher education. As more institutions begin to diversify their student populations and highlight the several student identities that tend to overlap, there is still one group that is often left out of many significant conversations — those who have been negatively affected by the carceral system. Formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted students are often left feeling unwelcome in spaces of higher education because of the many barriers present for them. Barriers to college access include background checks and inadequate student services, leading to a decrease in retention rates amongst this student population. A justice-impacted student includes someone at risk of being incarcerated or who has been formerly incarcerated, someone who has been legally, economically, or familially affected in a negative way by the incarceration of a close relative; this also includes people who have been arrested, and/or convicted without incarceration.

 

While it is important to note that higher-ed institutions still have a lot to learn when it comes to serving justice-impacted students, there are current programs already in place dedicated to helping such students succeed. These programs are essential and vital to increasing retention rates amongst formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted students. 

 

Here is a list of current programs available: 

 

CC Level: 

CA Community Colleges: Rising Scholars Network

To find further information on a specific Community College 

use this program directory to learn more:  

Rising Scholars Network Program Directory 

 

CSU Level: 

Currently, 14 CSU campuses have Project Rebound programs working with formerly incarcerated students. To find information on a specific college campus, scroll down to the bottom page 

Cal State University: Project Rebound

 

UC Level: 

Currently, there are 9 UC campuses that have the Underground Scholars Initiative working with formerly incarcerated scholars throughout the state. We have listed the main page to learn more about the program’s mission and history along with links to each UC chapter available across CA. 

The Underground Scholars Initiative 

 

USI UC BERKELEY:

Link to Join: https://callink.berkeley.edu/organization/usi

Facebook: facebook.com/undergroundscholars

USI UCLA:

Bruin Underground Scholars Program Website: https://undergroundscholars.ucla.edu/

Bruin Underground Scholars Program Email: undergroundscholars@saonet.ucla.edu 

USI UCLA Student Org Email:  undergroundscholars@gmail.com

USI UC IRVINE:

Email: uciundergroundscholars@gmail.com

Facebook: USIatUCI

USI UC RIVERSIDE:

Website: https://highlanderlink.ucr.edu/organization/usi-ucr

Email: undergroundscholarsucr@gmail.com

Facebook: Underground Scholars Initiative, UCR

Twitter: @undergroundSch3

USI UC SANTA BARBARA:

Email: undergroundscholars.sb.ucsb@gmail.com 

Facebook: Underground Scholars Santa Barbara 

USI UC SAN DIEGO:

Website: https://usiucsd.org/ and https://oasis.ucsd.edu/programs/USI-folder/index.html

Email: usi.ucsd@gmail.com

USI UC SANTA CRUZ:

Website: https://undergroundscholars.ucsc.edu/

USI UC DAVIS:

Email: undergrounducd@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undergrounducd

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/undergrounducd

UC MERCED:

Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pFqOamyMuhhFuHCLeOO855quhtJTypWIuQTNuuFs_a8/viewform?edit_requested=true

          Email: eramirez226@ucmerced.edu 

Edith Ramirez, Underground Scholars Program Coordinator

    DACA August 2022 Updates & Resources

    DACA August 2022 Updates & Resources

    Financial Aid For Undocumented Students

    On June 15, 2012, an executive order created Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for immigrant youth. Individuals who meet a specific eligibility may apply to receive work authorization and protection from removal action. The program is subject to renewal every two years.

     

    Updates On Renewals

    • Renewals may now be filed online
    • First-time applications are not accepted
    • Advance parole is available

    **for more information visit InformedImmigrant.com & USCIS.GOV *

    July 6, 2022 Hearing

    • The DACA case of Texas v. The United States is still pending a final decision in a federal court in the Southern District of Texas. Arguments were heard on the case for the first time on July 6th. Legal experts believe this case will make its way to the Supreme Court. A long legal battle is still ahead for DACA!

    How Can Allies Help?

    DACA and Higher Ed

    • FACT: In CA you don’t need DACA to go to college or receive financial aid! Undocumented students can pursue a higher-ed with or without DACA in CA. 
    • Instagram Resource: @prepareweb

    Resources 

    Reasons to Take Community College Summer Classes

    Reasons to Take Community College Summer Classes

    HS & First Year Students

    Summer is just around the corner and for some that may mean relaxing and recharging by going on camping trips or just hanging out with family and friends. But for others, summer break is a chance to catch up or get ahead in classes. Taking a summer class at a community college allows students to narrow their focus on a single subject – rather than your typical four, five or even six classes during the longer semesters. Although taking a summer class may not sound like a fun way to spend your summer break, taking these classes offer several major benefits. Here are some benefits if you are considering taking a summer class:

    Benefit 1: You save money 

    Whether you are a high school or college student, taking summer classes at a community college can save you money in the long run. Community college course credits are typically more affordable than those offered at universities. At a CC you may pay only a few hundred dollars or even less than that if you qualify for fee waivers. At a four year university, you may end up paying a few thousand dollars for the same course credit at a CC. Saving money is important even if you are still in high school. 

    Additionally if you are a high school student and you want to get ahead in your coursework for college, taking summer classes at a CC may put you ahead of the curve when you apply to college. When you first start college, you will be placed at different levels of mathematics or english classes. To be placed in the correct level course, you need to take a placement test. If you took advanced placement or even college courses, these may count towards your college credits and you will be placed in more advanced courses. This is a benefit as you won’t waste time taking placement tests and in classes you already passed. 

    Benefit 2: You are able to transfer to a four year institution or graduate faster

    If you started your higher education at a community college your main goal may be to transfer in two years. For some fields, like STEM fields, transferring in two years may be challenging as there are many courses to complete. But taking summer classes can help you complete your courses faster and in turn, transfer to a four year institution faster. 

    Since taking summer classes gives you the opportunity to earn more credits, this brings you closer to graduating faster. 

    Benefit 3: You complete your core courses and/or are able to catch up on credits 

    Summer semesters are shorter than your fall and spring semesters, this may be seen as either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you see this. It may be seen as a bad thing because it means you are learning a semester’s worth of material in five or six weeks. The plus side of this is that you are able to put all of your time and energy into a single subject rather than juggling multiple courses. So if you are dreading to take a challenging course during a long semester, consider taking it during the summer. 

    Benefit 4: Opportunity to study abroad 

    If summer vacation is about traveling and experiencing new things, why not do it while getting ahead in your studies? Many study abroad programs take place during the summer, and depending on that the school has to offer, it could be a great opportunity to both learn and travel.

    Why Graduation Rate Matters

    HS & First Year Students

    The graduation rate of the college you are thinking of attending is an important factor. It can tell you a lot about the value of education at the college. 

    A low graduation rate can indicate several reasons why the college may not be the best fit for you. Some reasons include a lack of student support services or guidance and a tendency to have students take more remedial courses. Make sure you do a bit of research before you commit! 

     

    To learn more about why graduation rate matters, download this guide Why Graduation Rates Matter. Guide provided by DecidED