- Student Services
Low-Income, First-Gen, Underrepresented Opportunities
From a low-income family: (e.g. qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch program).
First-generation college students: This means that neither one of your parents received a bachelor’s or 4-year degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in the United States. If you have a sibling in college you are still first generation. If your parents took some courses, but did not complete a degree you are still considered first generation.
Groups traditionally underrepresented: African American, Chicano/Latinx, Native American, Filipino, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian (i.e. Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese) or mixed race/multiracial groups with at least one parent from the above ethnicities.
If you meet one or more of the above criteria, there are several amazing programs that you might qualify for. LAHS encourages you to apply for these opportunities and the College & Career Center staff are here to help you with every part of the process. Email (laura.duran@mvla.net) or come to the CCC for support.
Undocumented Students Resources:
Webinar: College List Building for US Students from Low-Income Households. Here's the recording of that webinar. (The College Essay Guy- Events page)
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Matchlighters- The Matchlighters Scholars Program pairs high-achieving students from low-income households with experienced college counselors – and it's totally free.
9th Graders:
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Berkeley ROAR Academy is a rigorous, intense two-week summer program designed for advanced high school students (entering 10-12) who have demonstrated an aptitude for academic and professional careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Early Application Deadline: ~March 24
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Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement in STEM (SAGE Camp) By: National Laboratories, including SLAC, Berkeley Lab, and Lawrence Livermore For: 9th-11th grade, female-identifying students. Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE!), Deadline: ~March 15
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Girls Who Code : Virtual Summer Immersion & Self-Paced Programs, For: Girls and non-binary current high-school students, with or without prior coding experience, When: Program dates, Where: N/A -- Virtual, Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE! and eligible students may qualify for grants and tech supplies), Deadline: ~February 15th for priority consideration or ~March 24th for the general application deadline
10th Graders:
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Carnegie Mellon University. Merit-Based* Pre-College Program Summer: Computer Science Scholars: Provides students who have historically been excluded in the field of computer science an opportunity to explore the subject with full-time faculty, staff and researchers who are leaders in the field. (4-week program, grade-level specific)
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Berkeley ROAR Academy is a rigorous, intense two-week summer program designed for advanced high school students (entering 10-12) who have demonstrated an aptitude for academic and professional careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Early Application Deadline: ~March 24
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PREFACE Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! PREFACE is a summer program for talented students who have been historically under-represented in science, engineering, and the technological fields and who express a strong, early interest in pursuing careers in these areas. The program will takes place in-person, July-Aug, check dates for the year you are applying (2 weeks), on the Rensselaer campus in Troy, NY. The PREFACE Program is for students entering the 11th or 12th grade in the fall. Interested candidates should review the information on the PREFACE website and complete the online application. Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET near April 14 check website for dates. Notifications will be made to accepted students in early May. $4000, some scholarships are available but not 100% covered.
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Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement in STEM (SAGE Camp) By: National Laboratories, including SLAC, Berkeley Lab, and Lawrence Livermore For: 9th-11th grade, female-identifying students. Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE!), Deadline around: March 15
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Girls Who Code : Virtual Summer Immersion & Self-Paced Programs, For: Girls and non-binary current high-school students, with or without prior coding experience, When: Program dates, Where: N/A -- Virtual, Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE! and eligible students may qualify for grants and tech supplies), Deadline: ~February 15th for priority consideration or ~March 24th for the general application deadline
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CHICANO LATINO YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROJECT- Local and Statewide options
11th Graders:
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Reed Junior Scholars Program (spring)
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Horatio Alger Scholarship; for students who have faced adversity, min. 2.0 GPA, Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required), USA citizenship required. Several national and state options- one application. More Info & Apply Here (Due ~March 15. Also listed on Naviance)
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Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) (summer- application due 2/11)
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Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (Due Feb 24): Scholarships Available
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Swarthmore Fly-In Program (apply in spring of 11th for a trip in fall of 12th): An all-expenses-paid visit to one of the best liberal arts and engineering colleges in the country.
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Princeton Summer Journalism Program (app opens late Nov/early Dec) - DUE ~Feb. 27; 3.5 GPA and an interest in journalism required
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Colorado School of Mines: Summer Multicultural Engineering Training (SUMMET) Program APPLY HERE by 11:59 P.M. MST on ~ February 1
SUMMET combines non-accredited coursework, hands-on projects, industry tours, team-building activities and social events. SUMMET provides exposure to the lifestyle, opportunities and challenges of college and is designed to help build skills and experiences for a smooth transition from high school to college. SUMMET is a one-week residential program, allowing participants to live on campus for the duration of the program, experience life as a college student and participate in STEM-related curriculum instruction. This program is available at no cost to participants, with the exception of a $50 confirmation fee for students accepted into the program. Transportation to and from the program is not included in the cost and is currently the responsibility of participants. For more information, check out the SUMMET website. 3.3 GPA required & short response essays. SUMMET Session Dates; Early June-Early July- check website for details.
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Berkeley ROAR Academy is a rigorous, intense two-week summer program designed for advanced high school students (entering 10-12) who have demonstrated an aptitude for academic and professional careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Early Application Deadline: ~March 24
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Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement in STEM (SAGE Camp) By: National Laboratories, including SLAC, Berkeley Lab, and Lawrence Livermore For: 9th-11th grade, female-identifying students. Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE!), Deadline: ~March 15
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Girls Who Code : Virtual Summer Immersion & Self-Paced Programs, For: Girls and non-binary current high-school students, with or without prior coding experience, When: Program dates, Where: N/A -- Virtual, Registration/Tickets Required: Yes (FREE! and eligible students may qualify for grants and tech supplies), Deadline: February 15th for priority consideration or March 24th for the general application deadline
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2023 Young Leaders Summit (YLS) (DUE: ~Friday, April 1)
The Young Leaders Summit (YLS), presented by the Youth Leadership Consortium (YLC), is a free, college empowerment program for a diverse cohort of high-achieving, low-income, 11th graders selected through a competitive application process. It is designed to give these young leaders the practical tools they need to successfully apply to top universities, have full access to scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and set a course for academic and career success. Attendees will enhance their leadership abilities and expand their professional networks by participating in college and career workshops and interacting with college students and professionals who serve as their mentors.
YLS 2022 has a virtual component (2 days), followed by a in-person component (5 days) a couple of weeks later, at the University of Southern California (USC) campus. YLS students are required to attend both, the virtual and in-person components of the program.
All expenses are paid for by YLS, including airfare, food, campus housing, and materials. It is entirely free for students to apply and participate!
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PREFACE Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! PREFACE is a summer program for talented students who have been historically under-represented in science, engineering, and the technological fields and who express a strong, early interest in pursuing careers in these areas. The program takes place in-person, late July 23 through early August (2 weeks), on the Rensselaer campus in Troy, NY. The PREFACE Program is for students entering the 11th or 12th grade in the fall. Interested candidates should review the information on the PREFACE website and complete the online application. Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on ~ April 14. Notifications will be made to accepted students in early May. $4000, some scholarships are available but not 100% covered.
Carnegie Mellon University. Merit-Based* Pre-College Programs Summer:
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AI Scholars: Provides opportunities for students who have historically been excluded in STEM to study artificial intelligence with full-time faculty, staff, and researchers who are leaders in the field.
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Summer Academy for Math and Science: Allows students from underrepresented communities to develop a deeper understanding of STEM via traditional classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and sustained engagement with world-renowned faculty and skilled staff mentors.
Check website for details!
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CHICANO LATINO YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROJECT- Local and Statewide options
The CLYLP Bay Area Institute (BAI) inspires and motivates students from the region to become the future leaders through public service. The three-day institute offers an impactful program where Institute participants connect with education, business, political and community leaders from the Bay. Cost: FREE for housing, meals and program materials. More Info and Apply HERE- Due May 14. There is also a FREE statewide conference in Sacramento. More info HERE. Only 50 students wil be selected for each program.
12th Graders:
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Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) Scholarship. & Flier: The application closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on January 11, 2023. JRF Scholars receive grants of up to $30,000 over four years to supplement the financial aid they receive from their colleges or universities. In addition, Scholars receive extensive support services, including career guidance and internship placement, and attend JRF’s annual four-day "Mentoring and Leadership Conference" in New York City and other regional events throughout the year.
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Live Session and recorded content from six of the nation's top liberal arts colleges —Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams.
Colleges Access Initiatives or Fly-In Programs:
What you need to know about Fly-In Programs (Coalition College Article & Links)
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Taste of Carleton- Fly-In Program
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Elon University- Fly-In Program (Due by 9/1)
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Mount Holyoke- Mosaic- Fly-In Program (Due by 9/19)
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Occidental College TAP- Virtual Program (Due by 9/6)
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Pomona College- Fly-in Program
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Tulane University: Fly-In Program (Due by 9/15)