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January 2021— Staff Contact Updates, Spring Applications, Canvas Tutorials, SAS Job Board, & more

Dear Upward Scholars Student,

We hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season! As you prepare for the upcoming spring semester, we urge you to take some time for self-care and reflection. We continue to live through difficult historical events and, now more than ever, we have to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Don't hesitate to reach out.

Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes important changes to staff contact information, announcements, a new job board, deadline reminders, and upcoming scholarships.

Updated Staff Contact Information

Please note that all staff phone numbers have changed. Save our new numbers if you wish to reach us via call or text.

Upward Scholars Announcements

Upward Scholars Returning Student Application

The Upward Scholars Returning Student Application is now open. Please apply now to be considered.

If you know any new students interested in joining Upward Scholars, please have them contact Diana at diana@upwardscholars.org.

Virtual Conversation Club — RSVP

Friday, January 29th

6:30 to 7:30 pm

Complete this RSVP form by January 22nd 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

Spring general registration at the colleges is open.

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.

Online Canvas Tutorials for Students

If you are having trouble finding your way around Canvas for your college classes, here are two helpful tutorials to get you started. Feel free to save these videos in your browser to refer to throughout the semester.

If you have any further questions on how to use Canvas after watching these tutorials, contact Diana at diana@upwardscholars.org.

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 is NOW 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 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

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, please reach out to Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org.

Warmly,

Jessica