May 2022 — Upward Scholars Summer & Fall 2022 Applications, COVID-19 Survey, BusinessPro, Child Tax Credit, & more
Dear Upward Scholars students,
Finals season is here! We know this is a stressful and busy time for all of you so we want to remind you to breathe, take restful breaks, and keep working hard. The Upward Scholars family believes in you and wants you to succeed. You're going to do great! 💪
Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes the Upward Scholars Summer and Fall Semester Applications, updated COVID-19 survey, upcoming BusinessPro training, information about the Child Tax Credit and tax-related resources, job openings, upcoming scholarships, and much more.
Upward Scholars Announcements
Summer & Fall Applications
The Upward Scholars Summer & Fall 2022 Applications for Returning Students are open!
Apply now for the Summer 2022 Semester
Apply now for the Fall 2022 Semester
If you have any questions, contact Student Fellow Adriana Luna at adriana@upwardscholars.org or (650) 200-3444.
Upward Scholars continues doing everything we can to support you during the ongoing pandemic. In order to do this effectively, we need to understand how you are doing, what your current situation is, and what you are struggling with right now.
If you haven't already done so, please fill out this updated COVID-19 survey no later than Sunday, May 22, to update us on your situation and help us understand how to best support you.
BusinessPro Basic Entrepreneurship Program
In partnership with Centro Community Partners, Upward Scholars is offering BusinessPro—a nine-week intensive program for entrepreneurs in the idea stage of their business and who want to create a business plan to help them launch their business.
The program is intended for all, regardless of your level of education or experience, and is a great way to kickstart your business idea. To participate in BusinessPro this summer, register here by Friday, May 27. Lesly Arrellano—entrepreneur and trainer at Centro—will then contact you to provide more details and prepare you for June 3rd. If you have questions about BusinessPro or whether it is right for you, you can contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
Check your emails! If you received an email inviting you to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society at your college, Upward Scholars will pay for your membership! Not only does this look great on a résumé or university application, membership also opens up countless scholarship and leadership opportunities.
If you received this email, forward it to Diana Viscarra at diana@upwardscholars.org so she can pay the membership directly. Do not pay for it yourself; reimbursements may not be possible.
Virtual Conversation Club
The Upward Scholars Conversation Club is an opportunity for you as students to build confidence in your English conversation skills via a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.
Our next virtual Conversation Club:
Friday, July 29, 2022
6:30 – 7:45 pm
RSVP forms to come.
Spiritual Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios
Upward Scholars offers all students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios. The pandemic has affected all of us and we want you to express your struggles and be heard in a safe, confidential, and virtual environment. People of all beliefs are welcome and Rev. Gerardo is English-Spanish bilingual.
Schedule a session with Rev. Gerardo by emailing him at pastorgarcia1679@outlook.com or calling/texting him at (650) 387-9174. Tell him your full name and if a family member schedules a session, they should also give the name of the Upward Scholars student they were referred by.
External Announcements/COVID-19 Resources
Child Tax Credit
Last year, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and providing historic tax relief to the vast majority of families. Thanks to ARPA, the vast majority of families will receive $3,000 per child ages 6-17 years old and $3,600 per child under 6.
If you already filed a 2021 tax return, you should have automatically started receiving the Child Tax Credit. However, if you are a non-filer, you can file a simple tax return to claim your Child Tax Credit and stimulus money in as little as 15 minutes. You can file with an SSN or ITIN number but your child must have an SSN that is “valid for employment” in order to qualify. Receiving the Child Tax Credit will not affect your immigration status, ability to get a green card or your future eligibility for immigration benefits.
To find out if you are eligible, click here. To file a simple tax return to claim your CTC in English, click here. For Spanish, click here.
Elevate Tutoring Fellowship Program
The Elevate Tutoring Fellowship Program provides funding, training, and support to college students, while also providing free STEM tutoring at partner sites in the community. Tutor Fellows will improve their understanding of psychology, communication skills, and mentoring techniques. They receive a $7,000 scholarship for completing 210 tutoring and training hours and gain access to professional development workshops, networking events, tutor training, and more!
For more information or to apply, click here. Applications are due June 12, 2022.
Tax-Aid
Tax-Aid offers free tax help for households that earn less than $58,000. Their expert Bay Area tax volunteers give you the confidence of properly prepared taxes and can offer tax support and advice year-round in your preferred language. They can even help you claim your Child Tax Credit if you haven't already done so. Click here to learn more. Their website is available in multiple languages.
Health Fair on the Square
Sequoia Healthcare District is celebrating its 75th year supporting our community’s health! They are partnering with Sequoia Hospital/Dignity Health and Redwood City Together, to offer “Health Fair on the Square" this Saturday, May 21st from 10 am – 4 pm at Redwood City Courthouse Square. Join them for a day filled with resources, activities, and exciting raffle prizes!
Click HERE to register!
If you are interested in volunteering during the event, click here.
Sonrisas Dental Health
Not sure if you can afford dental care or qualify for financial assistance? Our partners at Sonrisas Dental Health are dedicated to providing quality dental care to those who otherwise could not afford dental care. They provide these services with dignity, respect, and compassion and offer preventative and restorative services. They also take Medi-Cal Dental and offer an Affordable Scale plan which would be up to a 45% discount depending on the person's income. Click here to learn more and get your smile back!
External Employment Opportunities
¡Conectémonos! Program Manager at New Voices for Youth (North Fair Oaks)
The ¡Conectémonos! Program allows youth from North Fair Oaks to help parents use technology to connect with schools and other service providers. The Program Manager will work with North Fair Oaks youth to develop strategies that engage and empower parents to gain confidence using technology in their community. To learn more and apply, click here.
New Voices for Youth (NV4Y) Program Manager (East Palo Alto)
In NV4Y, students from underserved communities make videos about their communities. Meeting in afterschool centers, students choose subjects, practice interviews, and create and edit digital narratives. The Program Manager works with members of the Steering Committee to inspire young people to use video for advocacy about their communities. To learn more and apply, click here.
Big Lift Inspiring Summers Learning Facilitator
Join the San Mateo County Libraries this summer in leading learning camps for children in grades K-3rd all while having fun! To learn more and apply, click here.
Camp Leaders, Assistant Camp Directors, & Camp Directors
The City of Redwood City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is looking for Camp Leaders, Assistant Camp Directors, and Camp Directors who are interested in working 25-40 hours per week during the summer. You'll enjoy planning, organizing, and conducting basic recreation activities in a variety of settings selected by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. To learn more and apply, click here.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking Program Coordinator
Learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of children by serving as a Bilingual Spanish-speaking Program Coordinator with Healthy Cities Tutoring. To learn more and apply, click here.
Sequoia District Adult School (SAS) Job Board
SAS has its 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.
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 me at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2022
Some qualifications: open to all
Roshan Rahbari Scholarship Fund
Application Deadline: June 3, 2022 @ 5 pm
Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university in the Fall; 3.0 GPA or higher\
Good Lawyers / Good People Scholarship
Application Deadline: July 1, 2022
Some qualifications: undergraduate; interested in law
Immigrants Rising List of Scholarships and Fellowships
Immigrants Rising has curated this list of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship. The list has general application eligibility requirements, including education level, region/state, and immigration status (e.g. DACA, TPS, in-state tuition eligibility). Only opportunities with due dates within the next 180 days are shown in the list. Use the filters to find scholarships that could be right for you and click on the scholarship to learn more and apply!
Click here to find an array of scholarships specific to your major or area of study.
If you know of any other scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email me at jessica@upwardscholars.org, and I will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Thank you for reading through this newsletter. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any further questions or want help with anything you read here, please reach out.
Onward and upward,
Jessica & Elías