Central Catholic - Find Your Path

Keep up your grades! Senior year grades matter!!! We will be sending out mid-year transcripts to all Common Application colleges in early February. If you did not apply using the Common Application and need mid-year grades submitted to a college, please email collegecounselors@centralcatholichigh.org and include 'Mid-Year Transcript Request' in the Subject line. List the names of any colleges requiring mid-year grades in your email.

College Applications - Do you have a January or February deadline? Be sure to submit the Transcript & Recommendation Request Form. If recommendations are required and this is your first request, please submit the form as soon as possible. Recommendations are completed in Naviance and then uploaded to colleges. You do not need to wait for recs to submit your application.

Check Application Portals - Once you apply, your college will send you a confirmation email with instruction on how to access your portal. You must check your emails and application portals regularly for guidance on next steps or find out if there is missing information. Hopefully, you will have good news! As you hear back from a college, please update the admission decision in your "Colleges I'm Applying to" list in Naviance Student.

FAFSA & Financial Aid - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by both two- and four-year institutions for all federal and state financial aid, federal student loans and work study. Get this submitted as soon as possible. Check college application portals for financial aid timelines and scholarship award information.

Scholarships - Get serious about looking for and applying to scholarships. We have included a list of upcoming scholarships in this newsletter for you. Also, check out the November Newsletter for advice on applying for scholarships. Keep track of your scholarship offers as we'll ask you for them later this year to include in the printed Commencement Program at Graduation.

Application Drop-In Sessions - We are continuing to host sessions for seniors who would like assistance with their college or scholarship applications. You are welcome to join us for any or all of the following sessions:

• January 8, 9, 14, 29 & 30 from 2:40 to 3:30 pm in the Commons
• January 15 during extended lunch in the Counseling Center Conference Room
• Every Thursday & Friday from 7:25 to 7:55 am in the Commons until the end of this semester

Continue to support your senior - Gentle reminders about checking email from colleges and accessing each college's application portal should help your student keep track of important dates and deadlines. Involving them in the conversation about financial aid and paying for college now will also be key.

Complete the necessary financial aid documents as soon as possible:

FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by both two- and four-year institutions for all federal and state financial aid, federal student and parent loans, and most scholarships --including OSAC scholarships!

Not eligible to complete FAFSA?

• ORSAA - The Oregon Student Aid Application is an alternative to the FAFSA for undocumented Oregon students, including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Not sure which form to complete? Click HERE to learn more.
• WASFA - The Washington Application for State Financial Aid is for Washington residents who are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status.

CSS Profile - Some colleges require the Profile in addition to FAFSA. Check to find out if any college on your student's list requires it. Check out these helpful tips and resources before starting the Profile - HERE.

If you missed out on the Paying for College webinar, click HERE to view the recording.

Once a student has applied for admission and submitted the FAFSA (and CSS Profile if required) to a college, the financial aid process is initiated for you. A financial aid award letter from the college will be sent based on their awarding timeline. Some colleges will complete this process shortly after a student is admitted, while many others will not send this out until March or early April. The award letter provides the details of your financial aid package. Next month's newsletter will provide more details inlcuding how to compare awards letters.

You're invited to this year's free, in-person Gap Year Fair from 6 to 8:30 pm at Cleveland High School. Each year, the Go Overseas team coordinates annual USA Gap Year Fairs events across the country to connect students, parents, and educators with gap year program providers from all over the world. Learn everything you need to know about taking a gap year, including tips for researching and planning your trip, navigating the college deferral process, and which programs are accepting applications. Click HERE to learn more about pros and cons of taking a gap year. Reserve your spot soon as space is limited - Register HERE.

PCC offers Preview Days to introduce students to their different opportunities on each campus from 9 am to 1 pm. Meet instructors and staff plus explore financial aid and learn about scholarships. Click HERE to register in advance.

Upcoming Preview Days:

Rock Creek Campus - February 21

Cascades Campus - April 25

Get individual help on the FAFSA/ORSAA:

• Thursday, January 29 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Click to join.
• Tuesday, February 4 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Click to join.
• Tuesday, February 11 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Click to join.
• Thursday, February 20 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Click to join.
• Thursday, February 27 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Click to join.

1. Must be an Oregon resident
2. APPLY HERE. You will need to wait to complete your application until you have final grades from 1st semester; however, you can complete most of the application beforehand.
3. TRANSCRIPT - Central Catholic will automatically upload YOUR 7th Semester transcript to OSAC. There is no need to request one.
4. FAFSA/ORSAA is required to complete your OSAC application.

Early Bird Deadline - February 18 by 11:59 pm PT. Error-free applications will be entered into a drawing for one of several Early Bird scholarships.

Final Deadline - March 3 by 11:59 pm PT

JANUARY

APIA Scholarships - Scholarships are available to low-income students of Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage with an unweighted GPA of 2.7 or higher who will be the first in their families to attend college. Due January 15

CXR Foundation Scholarship - The Foundation will be award a scholarship to a U.S. resident who is connected to someone working in the talent industry and will be attending an accredited, U.S. college or university. Preference will be given to need-based candidates and those in underrepresented demographics. Due January 31

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship - Scholars receive up to $35,000 over four years and benefit from a four-year comprehensive program. Applicants must be a minority high school senior, US citizen, have evidence of financial need, demonstrate a record of academic excellence as well as leadership potential, and a dedication to community service. Click here to join. Due January 9 by 2 pm PT

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Latino Scholarship - The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber invites all Hispanic students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and planning to enroll in a four-year college to apply for scholarships. Due January 12

Jet Future Business Leaders Scholarship - This scholarship is for graduating seniors interested in pursuing a career in business. Due January 31

National Eagle Scout Association Scholarship - Scholarships are open to high school seniors through college juniors who are Eagle Scouts. Due January 31

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship - Full tuition and fees as well as a stipend for students interested in serving as a Naval Reserve Officer. Due January 31

Pride Foundation Scholarship - Current and future leaders in the LGBTQ+ community facing significant barriers may apply for multiple scholarships with one application. Due January 10 at 5 pm PT

Profile in Courage Essay Contest - Up to $10,000 for an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Open to students in grades 9 through 12. Due January 17

Sparkling Ice Flavorful Futures Scholarships - Talking Rain is offering $5000 scholarships for students planning to enroll in part-time or full-time study at a 2-year, 4-year, college, university, trade or vocational school. The scholarships are open to all seniors with a 2.5 GPA; however, the Go Green Scholarship is specifically for students who intend to pursue a degree related to environmental studies and can show proof of involvement in sustainable initiatives and projects. Due January 31 at 3 pm

Storytellers of Tomorrow Contest - All high-school-age students are invited to submit unpublished, original English-language stories of up to 2,000 words in length for the Annual “Storytellers of Tomorrow” Contest. The sole criterion for earning prizes in this contest is simply overall quality, meaning that well-edited, engaging, and evocative stories have the best chance of winning over the judges. Due January 15

Teen Changemakers Essay Contest - Students will submit an essay (500-1,000 words) responding to this prompt: "How have your mental health experiences helped you to create a supportive and open mental health environment with your peers, within and outside of your high school?" The contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Due January 12

FEBRUARY

Association for Women in Mathematics Student Essay Contest - The contest is open to all ages. Students must submit a biographical essay based primarily on an interview conducted with a woman currently working in or retired from a mathematical career. Due February 1

CASA of Oregon Sister Adele Scholarship - Up to $5000 for Oregon students of farmworker families. Due February 16

George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest - The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution invites all high school students interested in the American Revolution to participate in the contest. Students must submit an original 800- to 1,200-word essay based on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution. Due February 15

Hillsboro Hops Dream Big Scholarship - This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a first generation college student from the Portland Metro/SW Washington area with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Due February 9 by 11:59 pm PT

Hispanic Scholarship Fund - Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage with at least a 3.0 GPA, and U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA. Due February 15 at 5 pm PT

Paul Duong Memorial Scholarship - The scholarship is for seniors who have attended the Asian American Youth Leadership (AAYL) Conference or will attend this year. Scholarship winners will be announced at the AAYL Conference and may be asked to read their essays to conference participants. Due February 3

Portland Community College Foundation Scholarship - Students are able to be considered for multiple scholarships to attend PCC. Due February 1 by 11:59 pm

Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP) - RSP provides scholarships to high achieving, low-income students who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. The Program offers a renewable college scholarship of up to $5,000 per academic year. Due February 1

Rent-A-Center Make a Difference Scholarship - Applicants must be customers or their dependents in good standing (current customers or customers within the past two years) of Rent-A-Center, Get it Now!, Home Choice or Acima or dependent children of current employees. Due February 1 by 1 pm PT

Volunteers of America Oregon Al Forthan Scholarship - Up to $2,500 per year for seniors in Oregon who have been impacted by addiction and poverty. Due February 5 by 11:59 pm PT

DEADLINE VARIES

Black United Fund of Oregon Scholarships -The following scholarships are available to students who identify as Black, African-American, or of African descent.

• Amina Anderson Scholarship - planning to attend an accredited college or university in Oregon and priority will be given to applicants with an unweighted GPA between 2.5 and 3.5
• Ron Herndon Scholarship - graduating senior planning to attend an accredited college or university and priority will be given to applicants with an unweighted GPA between 2.5 and 3.0
• Dr. Ethel Simon-McWilliams Scholarship - graduating senior and priority will be given to applicants with an unweighted GPA between 2.5 and 3.0
• Inspiring Hope Scholarship - Student may also identify as African Diaspora and should have an unweighted GPA between 2.0 and 3.0

Not interested in going to college? Do you like learning in a hands-on environment while earning money at the same time? An apprenticeship might be a great training opportunity for you.

But how do you decide which apprenticeship program to pursue? Some things to consider when you are contemplating career choices are whether there will likely be job openings available once you complete your training and whether the job pays enough to support your needs. The State of Oregon Employment Department can help you.

Click HERE to view a list of jobs where paid apprenticeships are offered to help you learn the skills of the job.

For more information about apprenticeship opportunities in Oregon, visit the apprenticeship website of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. For Washington residents, visit the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries site - click HERE.

Save the date! The 20th annual NW Youth Careers Expo will take place on March 19 at the Oregon Convention Center during the school day. The Careers Expo shows students the region's amazing diversity of career opportunities, along with the skills and education needed for those jobs. The Expo includes hands-on learning, demonstrations, mock interviews, career workshops and the chance to talk directly with professionals about college-and-career options.

Interested? See Mr. Blue for details. Pre-registration is required.