Attending the “Accessing Scholarships and Financial Aid for College Workshop”

Attending the “Accessing Scholarships and Financial Aid for College Workshop”

Always keeping college in front of us we attended the ACCESSING SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE workshop conducted at the Jackie Robinson YMCA – Multipurpose Room.

There we learned:

  • How to apply for scholarships & financial aid for college
  • Information on A-G requirements for college
  • How to fill out your college application
  • Individual help on your 2015-16 FAFSA or CA Dream App

We also learned a few of the benefits of college such as:IMG_20150110_090003

As you take on college work and participate in college life, you’ll encounter new ideas and challenges. Along the way, you learn:

  • Build knowledge, skills and brainpower
  • Discover new passions
  • Follow and satisfy your curiosity
  • Learn more about yourself
  • Bond with new friends
  • Prepare for a future in which you’re better equipped to give back

Whatever your destination, college can help you get there — even if you don’t know where “there” is yet. Whether you’ve mapped out a long-term plan or you see new possibilities every day, college can help you become your future self.

Attending the UCSD “Dare to Dream College” workshops

IMG_20141101_103005In an event accented by hands-on workshops, class lectures, laboratory visits, campus tours and interaction with UCSD faculty and undergraduates, hundreds of pre-college students and their parents got more than just a savory taste of university life this month  when they attended Dare to Dream College: The African Experience at UCSD.

“As an African American,” said one parent who participated, “I think this event not only challenged young Black students to dare to dream college and to go after that dream, but also challenged parents to get involved, and stay involved, in preparing their children for higher education –starting in early childhood.”

PhotoGrid_1414882420911Indeed, the message of early academic preparation and active parental involvement were important goals when UCSD Student Educational Advancement (a division of Student Affairs) joined with the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) of San Diego and Imperial Counties in sponsoring Dare to Dream CollegeThe event was not only intended to help enhance college-going rates of African Americans in San Diego, but to also provide an opportunity to showcase the academic and career opportunities UCSD has to offer.

And from UCSD, the event enjoyed the participation and support from the Chancellor’s Office, faculty, staff, Student Affairs, the Black Student Union and other undergraduates. “It was truly both a community and university effort,” report Loren Thompson, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Educational Advancement (SEA), and Linda Doughty, Director, Cal-SOAP.

The event immersed 4th through 12th grade students in various interactive activities with faculty, staff  and undergraduates based upon students’ grade levels and academic interest.  These included workshops on why college is important, how to develop “mental toughness ” for college, a debate with the UCSD Black Student Union on overcoming peer pressure.

Meanwhile, parents attended informative and motivational sessions that addressed their particular needs and concerns including workshops on how to be advocates for their children’s education, negotiating college for their children, and a special stage reading and panel discussion on how to speak to children about the importance of college.

Dare to Dream College is an annual event and to follow up with event attendees for inclusion in additional college preparation activities.

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