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Resources to Help Students Achieve Higher Education

Written by A part of the Juntos (EN) program

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Scholarships, FAFSA, and College Resources

Preparing for college is an ominous idea for many people, but here at Juntos, we believe everyone has the potential to achieve higher education.

First, what are scholarships and how many different types are there? Also, what do I need to do to apply for college? Here are links that can clear up many confusions as well as provide information for you to achieve success!

When you understand the different types of scholarships available to you, this knowledge makes finding them and applying a little easier.

It is very important that you fill out a FAFSA if possible. Some financial aid can be gained from FAFSA and this is need-based. The FAFSA is used by many colleges and is important for their personal financial aid packages.

Information for filling out the FAFSA.

Below are a few scholarship lists and resources that could lead you to affordable college tuition! Updated January 2020!

For First Generation College Students

Being the first in your family to go to college is a big deal and it comes with a lot of pressure for the student. First generation college students face many challenges such as applying to college, financial readiness, adjusting to college life, mental health, and maintaining academic status. Here are some resources to help first-generation college students overcome these challenges:

For Undocumented Students

There are thousands of undocumented students in the United States, so it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Having undocumented status can make applying to college more difficult, but there are still options. Here are some other important facts to remember:

  1. Undocumented students can legally attend college in the United States
  2. The college application process for undocumented students is almost the exact same as the process for U.S. citizens.
  3. There are options for financial aid and scholarships and some are specifically for undocumented students.
  4.  High school guidance counselors are not legally permitted to ask about students’ legal status.
  5. There is no federal law that prohibits the admission of undocumented students to U.S colleges, public or private.
  6. In most cases, colleges set their own rules on admission for undocumented students. Research is always the best way to be informed.

By no means is college unachievable to undocumented students. It is a more complicated process but your information is always protected. There are many resources available to aid your way in college whether are documented or not. Below are a few resources to help:

For ESL Students

Learning a new language is difficult and the language barrier can discourage many ESL students from completing high school and attending college. In fact, only 63% of ESL students graduated in 2016, compared to the national graduation rate of 82%. There is also a lack of ESL teachers. In 2016, 32 states reported not having enough teachers for ESL students. Applying to college, particularly writing college essays can be especially challenging for ESL students. However, it is possible to overcome these challenges. Here are some resources for ESL students:

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