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Funding our Future
January 2016 Newsletter
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Scholarship recipients met to network and exchange best practices at the Scholars Luncheon in December. Click here to see the Scholars Luncheon Photo Album.
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Dear Dear Community Partner,
This month, high school seniors will begin their final semester of school. As these students eagerly prepare to graduate and look ahead to college, they will face a most daunting challenge. How will they pay for a college education?
Whereas students' primary concern used to be that they wouldn't get into the college of their choice, today their biggest concern is the level of debt they will incur to pay for their degree. Given the rising cost of college, ninety percent of college applicants and their parents polled in the Princeton Review's 2015 "College Hopes & Worries Survey" estimated that financial aid will be "extremely" necessary to pay for college.The first year this question was asked on the survey eight years ago in 2007, only 78% of respondents said financial aid would be "extremely," or very" necessary,
For this reason, thousands of students don’t go to college simply because they believe that they can’t afford it. For the past four years, the Ed Fund has coordinated a district-wide FAFSA campaign, increasing the financial aid application completion rate from 33% to 66%. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (for undocumented students) are the primary applications that students complete in order to receive federal and state financial aid.
As a result, an additional 300 families in West Contra Costa County received financial aid resulting in our students receiving an additional $4.5 million in aid over four years. An increase in financial aid received by WCCUSD students enables more of them to go to college and dramatically increases their likelihood of graduating from college.
This January, the Ed Fund is working again with our West County College Access Network partners and high school counselors to provide workshops that will assist students in completing their financial aid applications. Please help us spread the word about our Cash for College Nights to high school seniors and their parents and encourage them to attend one of these free workshops. Details are listed in the calendar in the sidebar.
Won't you help us ensure that every student receives the financial aid to which they are entitled by making a donation today? We are grateful for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Joel Mackey
Executive Director
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Ed Fund Scholarship Applications Open
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Current high school seniors attending a public school within the boundaries of West Contra Costa Unified School District who have completed their FAFSA or California Dream Act Applications are eligible to apply for an Ed Fund Scholarship and receive up to $1,000-$5,000 for their first year of college. Since 2005, the Ed Fund has awarded over one million dollars in scholarships to nearly 400 students. Applications due March 3.
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One important way in which individuals and companies can support the Ed Fund Fund is through in-kind donations of products, services, and time. There are countless opportunities to make a meaningful donation.
- Cash for College Raffle Prizes: Starbucks, Amazon, gas and restaurant gift cards, college swag (tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc.)
- Financial Aid Application Completion Incentives: Food truck, Amazon, iTunes and beats gift cards)
- Getting Ready for College Raffle Prizes: Starbucks, Amazon, gas and restaurant gift cards, college swag (tee-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc.)
- College pennants to display in high school career counseling centers
- Richmond Summer Pilot Program Supplies: Amazon gift cards
- Get Your Summer On! Summer Activity Guide: Spanish translation services
- Soaring to Excellence Celebration: Pro bono restaurant and florist donations
- High capacity copy machine
- Chrome book laptop 13”-15”
- Office phone system
- Work Station: computer, monitor and keyboard
- Pro bono graphic design services
- Pro bono printing services
- Pro bono videographer services
- Vehicle donation
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Help a Student Thrive and Succeed
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