February 2021— Updated COVID-19 Survey, Eviction Moratorium Extension, Car Insurance for Undocumented Citizens, and more

Dear Upward Scholars Student,

We hope Spring semester is off to a great start and that you are continuing to stay safe and healthy.

Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes an updated COVID-19 student survey, information about the eviction moratorium extension, resources for undocumented students to get car insurance, and upcoming scholarships reminders.

Upward Scholars Announcements

COVID-19 Student Survey

Students, please fill out this updated COVID-19 survey to let us know how you are doing, what you may be struggling with, and how we may be able to help. All students who fill it out no later than Monday, February 15th, will be entered into a raffle to win a $75 gift card. There will be multiple winners!

Virtual Conversation Club — RSVP

Join us on our next virtual Conversation Club to practice your English skills while meeting great people from the Upward Scholars family!

Friday, February 26th

6:30 to 7:45 pm

Complete this RSVP form by February 23 and invite your friends to RSVP as well.

Face Masks

If you and your family still need face masks, please contact Diana at diana@upwardscholars.org.

External Announcements/COVID-19 Resources

Eviction Moratorium Extension

Last month, Governor Newsom signed SB 91 into law, which extends the state-wide moratorium on evictions of rental housing tenants suffering from COVID-19 financial related distress who pay at least 25 percent of monthly rent from January 31 to June 30, 2021.

If you need additional assistance paying rent and live in Redwood City, there is a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for families and individuals who have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19 and have no other alternative source of income. Click here for more information about the moratorium and to submit an online application.

Car Insurance for Undocumented Citizens

If you or someone you know is undocumented and unsure about whether or how they can get car insurance, Coverage.com can answer some of the most common questions. Click the following link to read their in-depth article on "How to get car insurance as an undocumented citizen."

SMCCC Foundation Undocumented Student Emergency Fund

Undocumented students can now apply to the SMCCC Foundation's Undocumented Student Emergency Fund by reaching out to the community college's financial aid office. Make an appointment with a financial aid officer (Spanish speakers are available) to apply.

Employment Opportunities

Sequoia District Adult School (SAS) Job Board

SAS now has their very own job board to help students like you find jobs. There are a variety of positions in various industries. Visit their website to learn more.

If you hear of any employment opportunities, please contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org and she will share them with all Upward Scholars students.

Reminders

SMCCC Foundation Scholarships

The next scholarship cycle for the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation isNOW OPEN! This is a single application that allows you to apply to multiple scholarships all at once. You can find more information on your college's financial aid page. The application deadline is fast approaching on March 2, 2021, at 11:59 pm. Apply now! If you need help applying, please contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA (due June 30, 2022) and California Dream Act (due March 2, 2021) applications for the 2021–2022 academic school year are NOW OPEN! Complete them as soon as possible to secure your financial aid and enrollment in Upward Scholars.

Upcoming Scholarships

The following is a list of external scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Click on the links to learn more about each scholarship.

NOTE: If you need help applying to any of these, contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: February 15, 2021

  • Some qualifications: must be of Hispanic heritage; minimum of 2.5 GPA; transferring to a four-year university; planning to enroll full-time

Pursuit of Excellence Community College Scholarship - Bay Area

  • Application Deadline: February 28, 2021

  • Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university; preference given to students who transfer to a UC; GPA of 3.5 or better is preferred

American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: March 1, 2021

  • Some qualifications: U.S. citizen or a legal permanent U.S. resident; major in chemistry-related science; full-time student; 3.0 GPA or higher

10,000 Degrees General Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2021

  • Some qualifications: full-time student

Crestmoor Neighborhood Memorial Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: March 2, 2021

  • Some qualifications: live in San Bruno or attends Skyline College; first-year student at a community college or transfer student from a community college to a four-year university; open to undocumented students; full-time student

National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) Foundation

  • Application Deadline: March 12, 2021

  • Some qualifications: majoring in fields related to building, construction, or precast concrete industry

Latinos in Technology Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: March 19, 2021

  • Some qualifications: must be of Latino or Hispanic origin; majoring in a STEM-related field; transferring to a 4-year undergraduate university; 3.0 GPA or higher

Bay Area Gardeners Scholarship Foundation

  • Application Deadline: March 19, 2021

  • Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year undergraduate university; 2.5 GPA or higher; open to undocumented students

Chicana Latina Foundation (CLF) Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: March 31, 2021

  • Some qualifications: Self-identify as a Chicana and/or Latina; full-time student; 2.0 GPA or higher

If you know of any other scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org so she can share them with all Upward Scholars students.

Thank you for reading through this newsletter. We hope you found it helpful. If you have any further questions or want help with anything you read here, please reach out to me at jessica@upwardscholars.org.

Warmly,

Jessica