Central Catholic - Find Your Path
Class of 2023 - College, Life & Career - January 2023
***CAREER EXPLORATION***
NW Youth Careers Expo - February 22
Save the date! The 19th annual NW Youth Careers Expo will take place on February 22 at the Oregon Convention Center during the school day. Pre-registration is required.
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. Portland Workforce Alliance is excited to return to in-person programming! Public health guidelines are closely followed and the format of the event may be adjusted accordingly.
Interested? See Mr. Blue for details.
Professional Certifications Virtual Fair on February 2
Check out their session "High School to Work Transition" from 9:15 to 10 am (on demand afterward). This session will discuss how to prepare student into the right workforce or nontraditional education pathway.
Registration opens on January 18 - click HERE for details.
Earn While You Learn in a High-Wage, High-Demand Job with Apprenticeship Training
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.
***PREPARING FOR COLLEGE***
Senior To Do List
Check Application Portals - Early application admission decisions will be coming soon. Check your emails and application portals. You might have good news in your inbox! As you hear back from college, please update the admission decision in your "Colleges I'm Applying to" list in Naviance Student.
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 them to submit your application.
Financial Aid - Check college application portals for financial aid 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.
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 12 from 2:40 to 3:30 pm in the Commons
- January 27 during Open Student Life Session (pre-registration required)
Keep up your grades! We will be sending out mid-year transcripts to all Common Application colleges that require them. 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. Then list the name(s) of college requiring mid-year grades in your email.
Parent/Guardian To Do List
Complete the necessary financial aid documents as soon as possible:
FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid 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. Click HERE for a list of participating institutions. Check out these helpful tips and resources before starting the Profile - HERE.
OSAC Scholarships for Oregon Residents - Early Bird Deadline: February 15
- Must be an Oregon resident
- 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.
- FAFSA/ORSAA is required to complete your OSAC application.
Early Bird Deadline - February 15 by 5 pm PT. Error-free applications will be entered into a drawing for one of several $1,000 Early Bird scholarships.
Final Deadline - March 1 by 5 pm PT
Portland Community College Future Connect & Foundation Scholarships
On January 26, representatives from PCC will be hosting a Scholarship Workshop for seniors at 2:05 pm in the Commons.
Before the session:
- Register for the event in Naviance Student and get a College Visit Pass signed by your 4th Period teacher at least one day in advance.
- Students are encouraged to know their MyPCC login. If you are a dual credit student, you should already have a MyPCC login. If not, follow instructions for PCC Admissions at www.pcc.edu/enroll.
Why attend? Students can earn FREE money through FAFSA/ORSAA + Oregon Promise + PCC Foundation Scholarship + Future Connect. It is possible to have a full-ride to PCC where everything is covered - including tuition, fees, books, technology, and supplies.
MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
JANUARY
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship - Renewable scholarship for high school seniors who have completed or are taking a computer science course in high school and plan to major in a computer-related field of study. Due January 20 at 1 pm PT
APIA Scholarships - Scholarships are available to underserved Asian and/or Pacific Islander students with a 2.7 GPA or higher who will be the first in their families to attend college. Due January 19 by 2 pm PT
CASA of Oregon Sister Adele Scholarship - Up to $5000 for Oregon students of farmworker families. Due January 31
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 who is/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
Foot Locker Scholar Athletes - This scholarship program honors student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and strong leadership skills in sports, in their schools, and within their communities. Due January 30.
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Oregon Latino Scholarship Fund - The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber invites all Hispanic students with a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply for scholarships. Due January 22
Jet Future Business Leaders Scholarship - This scholarship is for graduating seniors interested in pursuing a career in business. 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
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 8th 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
FEBRUARY
Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP) - The RSP provides scholarships and support to high-achieving, low-income students who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be an Oregon resident or planning to attend a four-year college in Oregon or Illinois. Click HERE to view the application walk-through recording. Due February 1
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 6 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
GAP YEAR FAIR - FEBRUARY 15
Cleveland High School will be hosting this year's free, in-person Gap Year Fair from 6 to 8:30 pm. 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.
Reserve your spot soon as space is limited - Register HERE.