high school
Sing to the Lord a new song; make him holy in the church of the faithful. (Psalm 149:1)high school
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.-- 1 Timothy 4:12
Higher Education Preparation and Support Program (PREPA)
The Higher Education Preparation and Accompaniment Program (PREPA) is designed so that high school students, family members and mentors work collaboratively so that Hispanic students, depending on their circumstances and personal interests, can explore different paths to Higher Education.
Students, families, and mentors will make a commitment to work together and complete four stages toward higher education: explore, prepare, apply, and decide.
EXPLORE
Summer (May-July)
SAT/ACT Preparation
Universities on tour
Research Application Requirements
Your goal as a mentor during the "Explore" phase will be to:
- Review the deadlines for different applications with your child; make sure applications are submitted on time and have all necessary components
- Be present with your child when they receive the results of their applications
- Help your child decide based on realistic expectations based on his or her admission, economic reality, preferences, and alternative plans
- Help your child look for scholarships; encourage him or her to apply for a variety of scholarships
Your goals as a student and family during the Explore phase will be:
- Get to know your mentor and yourself so you can tell your story
- Explore colleges you like, whether in person or online
- Choose at least 3 universities to apply to: a competitive option, a probable one, and a certain one.
- Register to take the SAT exam or the ACT if you haven't taken it already
List of Resources in Your Search for a University
If you as a parent would like to read more about the college application process, Click here.
Gradúate – Government program information for Hispanic/Latinx students and college
Explore: Colleges and their College Scorecard (comparison of universities and related prices)
Explore: US University Comparison Database
Explore: List of Institutions with a High Percentage (25%+) of Hispanic/Latinx Students
CFNC.org – NC Major Search and Colleges
Deadlines for applying for government financial aid (FAFSA application in Spanish)
Information available in Spanish about the educational system in the USA
Dates for the planning process for the University (from CFNC)
Comparison table of different universities with their costs and requirements
Information about the application process and other resources for NC
GET PREPARED
September
Getting started on a common application
Ask teachers for recommendations
Please note early action or early decision deadlines
Your goal as a mentor during the “Get Ready” phase will be to:
- Continue getting to know your student and family and drawing out their personal stories.
- Accompany your student in the essay writing process through essay reading and co-editing
- Check with your student to ask for recommendations from teachers and other references (employers, mentors, pastors, etc.). Use These guidelines to get the best recommendation.
- Walk with your student as they choose at least 3 schools to apply to: a competitive choice, a likely choice, and a
- Ask your student if they have registered for or taken the SAT/ACT, then follow up accordingly
Your goals as a student and family during the “Get Ready” phase will be:
- Continue to get to know your mentor and yourself so you can tell your story
- Write your essay for applications to universities you like. Edit them with your mentor.
- Ask your teachers, employers, pastors, and mentors to give you a recommendation based on these criteria.
- Choose at least 3 universities to apply to: a competitive option, a probable one, and a certain one.
- Register to take the SAT exam or the ACT if you haven't taken it already
For the next month–Wake County College Information Fair October 7 2:00-4:30pm NC State University-McKimmon Center
For November–“My Success, the University” Educational fair for Hispanic-Latino students at NCCU
For next month–Wake County College Fair Oct 7 2:00-4:30pm NC State McKimmon Center
For November–“My success, University” Educational Fair for Hispanic Students and their Families at NCCU
List of Resources in Your Search for a University
If you as a parent would like to read more about the college application process, Click here.
Gradúate – Government program information for Hispanic/Latinx students and college
Explore: Colleges and their College Scorecard (comparison of universities and related prices)
Explore: US University Comparison Database
Explore: List of Institutions with a High Percentage (25%+) of Hispanic/Latinx Students
CFNC.org – NC Major Search and Colleges
Deadlines for applying for government financial aid (FAFSA application in Spanish)
Information available in Spanish about the educational system in the USA
Dates for the planning process for the University (from CFNC)
Comparison table of different universities with their costs and requirements
Information about the application process and other resources for NC
APPLY
October
Attend local college fairs
Take the SAT or ACT
Complete FAFSA
Complete ED/EA Applications
Your goal as a mentor during the "Apply" phase will be to:
- Co-read the apps with students and their families.
- Make a check with your student about their progress so far
- Walk with your student and family as they apply for financial aid using the FAFSA and other means, as appropriate.
- Please ask specifically about Early Decision/Early Application deadlines as applicable to ensure the student is working faster to meet them.
Your goals as a student and family during the “Apply” phase will be:
- Read the applications with your child and mentor
- Review with your child to see their progress
- Accompany your child in the FAFSA application – your mentor will also be there for you and is available to answer questions and find more information
- Ask your child if he or she has chosen a college that has early acceptance or decision dates and if he or she is working toward them.
COMPLETING THE FAFSA IN SPANISH
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/es/fafsa
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/2018-19-completing-fafsa-spanish.pdf
(Spanish) FAFSA Preparation Worksheet
RESOURCES TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE FAFSA IS ABOUT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOOxrhrMiO8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8P2acR9VHc
If you as a parent would like to read more about the college application process, Click here.
DECIDE
December/January
Complete and submit college applications
Keep your grades up!
Apply for scholarships
Your goal as a mentor during the “Decide” phase will be to:
- Verify your student's admission deadlines with the student and family; ensure applications are submitted on time and have all required components
- Be there with your student when they start hearing college results!
- Be a sounding board for your student and family as they narrow down options based on admissions, finances, preferences, and alternative plans.
- Look for scholarships with your student; encourage students to follow through with scholarship applications
Your goals as a student and family during the “Decide” phase will be:
- Get to know your mentor and yourself so you can tell your story
- Explore colleges you like, whether in person or online
- Choose at least 3 universities to apply to: a competitive option, a probable one, and a certain one.
- Register to take the SAT exam or the ACT if you haven't taken it already
Summary: You've already logged in, now how do you pay? https://www.c2educate.com/got-now-pay/
Standard FAFSA Completion: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#irs-drt https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/basic-criteria
I am a DACA recipient, can I use the FAFSA? http://unitedwedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DACAStepsforFAFSA2014_Final.pdf
Student Loans for Immigrantshttps://studentloanhero.com/featured/complete-guide-federal-student-loans-immigrants/
DACA https://studentloanhero.com/featured/daca-financial-aid-dreamers-paying-college/
Making College Affordable for Hispanic Students: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/making-college-affordable-online-guide-for-hispanic-students/
Different types of financial aid: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/es/types
Help with scholarship applications: https://www.moneygeek.com/education/college/resources/scholarship-guide-for-hispanic-students/
United Methodist Church Guide for Scholarship Search: https://www.gbhem.org/sites/default/files/documents/loansandscholarships/ten_scholarship_tips_ebook_0.pdf
| Scholarship | Deadline |
| https://www.hsf.net/en_US/scholarship | February 15 |
| http://ascendfundny.org/scholarship/ | February 1 |
| https://imfirst.org/ | May |
| https://scholarshipamerica.org/ | Varies |
| http://www.migrantstudents.org/campcolleges.html | Varies |
| https://migrant.net/scholarships/ | Varies |
A BIG list of scholarships from the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals: http://thencshp.org/resources/for-students/scholarships/
A general search: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search#!personalinformation
Be careful not to be fooled by fake scholarships, use this article to check if an online scholarship is real or not:
http://www.gocollege.com/financial-aid/scholarships/apply/fake-scholarships.html
NC Scholarships: https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/north-carolina-scholarships/
From the UMC: http://scholarships.umc.org/