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by Rocio, Day-Riverside Teen Squad  College can be expensive. Many times students are told to apply for scholarships as a way to pay, but that is easier said than done. Applying for scholarships, especially those that cover four year tuition, required countless steps. It is not just getting good grades, but having volunteer hours, writing personal statements, getting recommendation letters among other things. This guide provides different resources to help guide you through the process of applying for financial aid. How to prepare before applying, getting the right requirements, websites, programs, and writing centers to help. Download a copy of the guide here: ProgamsWhile in high school it is important to involve yourself with different programs that can help you throughout the years. They are meant to help everyone enroll into college and be able to pursue a successful college life. Each school may or may not have them all, you can check your school website or ask faculty where they can direct you. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) AVID begins typically during middle school, but you can also join during your freshman year. If you do want to enroll, you must contact the AVID advisor. Services Provided:
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) You can become part of GEAR UP anytime just need to fill out an application if you want to. They provide workshops and other events to help students during school and if they wish to go to college.
TRiO Trio is a program that is offered both in high school and college to help low income and first generation students prepare and go into college. During high school they offer different workshops and services during the school year and summer. Every college also has it. It is alright if you don’t apply during high school. You can just contact TRIO advisor and they will help you get set up. PACE Only college freshman can apply Program provide by SLCC
College Credit/Experience During High SchoolDuring high school you can gain college credit for a much cheaper cost or even free. You can also gain experiences for different career paths. One way of getting college credit and experience is by taking AP, CTE, TRIO and CE classes. AP (Advance Placement) requires you to take or teach yourself the required material to take an exam. Depending on your score you can get full college credit. The test is scored between 1 to 5, five being the highest, this earns you full college credit. You must get a three or higher to pass the yrdy and get some college credit. You will have to pay for the exam. There is usually a financial aid offer that will lower or cover the cost completely. Once you pass it is important to inform the college advisor in order to transfer the credit over. CE (concurrent enrollment) are college classes for free to get college credit as well. It is a partnership between local high schools with colleges and universities. You must pass the class with at least C- in order to get credit, anything lower will not qualify. CTE (Career and Technical Education) are classes which teach different skills to prepare students. For students who already know which career pathway you want to follow or for students who just want to try out new opportunities. Check your high school CTE classes and see if they offer anything that could be beneficial for you to prepare. Talk to counselors and ask to be placed into these classes. Internships are short term periods where students get work experience. These are offered up by companies and organizations. Depending on the company/organization some may pay you, other times you will work for free. You can ask counselors or teachers if they know of any opportunities. If you know of a company you like to work for, you can email them asking if they have an internship. Preparing for ScholarshipsScholarships are not as easy as they may seem. For those to cover full tuition, housing, and other expenses you must do extra work. These scholarships typically require you to have good grades, personal statements, letters of recommendation, volunteer hours, or any experience with leadership. It is, of course, important to have good grades especially if you want to go into any Ivy schools. Sometimes life may get in the way, and it is understandable if you fail a class or your grades drop as long as you show that you improve and work to fix it. Volunteering is one activity that you must complete ahead of time. It can vary but some scholarships/schools may ask for 40 to 200 hours of volunteer work. It cannot be completed in one week, and you should start as soon as you can. Here are places to look for volunteer: Asking teachers/counselors Teachers and counselors are constantly being informed about different opportunities. They will be able to provide you with information or tell you who you can contact. Community Websites/post Community websites will usually have information about any local volunteer services. Homeless centers Homeless centers are always looking for people to come and serve food. You will need parental permission if you are under 18. Religious services If you are part of any religion, most times they will have a variety of jobs from cleaning, to projects, or being a mentor. Public Library Many public libraries have a volunteer program for teenagers where they create their own projects which are posted on their website. The project can be about anything it is up to you. The Salt Lake City Public Library has one! Pride Center They provide different jobs all year around. Anyone can apply. Just Serve It is an organization that provides thousands of opportunities anywhere in the United States. For students that are too busy, work or just can’t volunteer there are still other scholarships available. Going to college fairs, visiting campus, attending events where college advisors come to seek is a big step. You must learn and see the possible options that are being offered in state and out of state. Another thing to consider is looking and doing more personal research about the college you wish to attend. Scholarships |
 | The challenge will run from June 21st until August 16th. It's important to make sure you plan ahead and have enough time for completing the 30 days. Ask for a Step Up Challenge tracker at your local City Library branch! |
by Taryn, Anderson-Foothill Teen Squad
Sources & Further Reading
Baer, Drake. “'Expressive Writing' Is A Super Easy Way To Become Way Happier.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 23 May 2014, www.businessinsider.com/the-positive-effects-of-journaling-and-expressive-writing-2014-5.
Barth, F. Diane, and Psychotherapist. “Journaling Isn't Just Good for Mental Health. It Might Also Help Your Physical Health.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 14 Feb. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/journaling-isn-t-just-good-mental-health-it-might-also-ncna1114571.
Phelan, Hayley. “What's All This About Journaling?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/style/journaling-benefits.html.
Baer, Drake. “'Expressive Writing' Is A Super Easy Way To Become Way Happier.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 23 May 2014, www.businessinsider.com/the-positive-effects-of-journaling-and-expressive-writing-2014-5.
Barth, F. Diane, and Psychotherapist. “Journaling Isn't Just Good for Mental Health. It Might Also Help Your Physical Health.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 14 Feb. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/journaling-isn-t-just-good-mental-health-it-might-also-ncna1114571.
Phelan, Hayley. “What's All This About Journaling?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/style/journaling-benefits.html.
by Saia and The Glendale Teen Squad
Saia Langi...as Kakashi Sensei
Hey! I'm Saia and I am the Supervisor for the Glendale Branch's Teen Squad volunteers. I work at the Glendale Branch as the Teen Librarian and I love food, friends, and anime.
I know what you might be thinking...why is a picture of Kakashi from Naruto on here? Well, the Teen Squad volunteers and I wanted to have our favorite anime/animated characters represent us on the blog since we feel more comfortable that way. We also all love anime and had to use this opportunity to geek out!
This summer in Teen Squad we have a grand total of four volunteers who are ready to get out of the house, have fun, and most of all create a project that will involve helping out other teens! Without further a due, here are the awesome Teen Squad Volunteers at Glendale!
I know what you might be thinking...why is a picture of Kakashi from Naruto on here? Well, the Teen Squad volunteers and I wanted to have our favorite anime/animated characters represent us on the blog since we feel more comfortable that way. We also all love anime and had to use this opportunity to geek out!
This summer in Teen Squad we have a grand total of four volunteers who are ready to get out of the house, have fun, and most of all create a project that will involve helping out other teens! Without further a due, here are the awesome Teen Squad Volunteers at Glendale!
Rocio Romero Cortes...as Asuka Langly Souryuu
HI!
I’m Rocio (Row-see-oh) and I enjoy drawing, painting, and doodling. Please don't be weird around me, I’m usually really weird myself. My pronouns are she/they and I’m probably maybe bisexual:0 I go to Glendale Middle School and will be in 8th grade in the fall. This is my first time joining Teen Squad and I am thinking of doing something with drawing for my project.
I’m Rocio (Row-see-oh) and I enjoy drawing, painting, and doodling. Please don't be weird around me, I’m usually really weird myself. My pronouns are she/they and I’m probably maybe bisexual:0 I go to Glendale Middle School and will be in 8th grade in the fall. This is my first time joining Teen Squad and I am thinking of doing something with drawing for my project.
Jasmine Vasquez...as Taiga Aisaka
Hellooooo my name is Jasmin. My pronouns are she/they. Some of my favorite things are mostly playing games, reading, writing and playing the ukulele...yea I love music! I’m going to be in 8th grade at Glendale Middle School in the fall. The project I hope we end up doing with Teen Squad this summer is Anime, I love Anime! Aaand That's me:)
Jair Chavez...as M.R.V.N
My name is Jair. I enjoy helping others and playing video games. I’m going to be in 9th grade next school year and I will be attending East High School. I joined Teen Squad to help others in the community. I am looking forward to creating a project that can help Teens like me feel comfortable in the library and out in the neighborhood. That’s the most important thing for me.
Long Le...as BOBA
My pronouns are they/them. My name is Long. I am going to be in 9th grade at East High next year. I read a lot of Manga and watch a lot of anime! I wanted to get out of the house this summer and Teen Squad seemed like a fun time. I want our project to be something with Anime, maybe even help start a club, that would be fun!
by Annabelle, Main Library Teen Squad
 | Hi! My name is Annabelle and I am a Teen Squad Volunteer at the Main Library. This summer I am doing a donation drive for the Youth Resource Center. Volunteers of America’s Youth Resource Center is a drop in resource center and emergency shelter for all youth aged 15-22 at-risk or experiencing homelessness. |
I am doing this project to help out in my community. For the drive, we are looking for new socks and underwear. You can find a donation box on the 2nd floor of the Main Library in the Teen area.
The drive will last from now to August 7.
Thank you for your help!
The drive will last from now to August 7.
Thank you for your help!
by the Sweet Branch Teen Squad
 | Hi I’m Sabrina Calcara, I love to draw, read and write. My pronouns are she/they and I love cats! My project is a collection of drawings with captions that talk about mental health. They include tips on how to manage your mental energy as well as how to support others who are struggling! |
 | My name is Morgan Perry, and I am a volunteer at the Sweet Branch. I am 15, and will be a sophomore at Highland High school. I love playing the violin, and performing in an orchestra. I love doing gymnastics and watching hockey. Reading is my favorite hobby, and my favorite genres are fantasy and realistic fiction. For my project I will be doing a virtual author visit with Lisa Greenwald on July 16th at 1pm. Lisa Greenwald is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her books, and her style of writing is amazing. I love that she wrote a book series in text messages, because I think it can sometimes be fun to read something different. |
She also wrote a series about two best friends who make lists every year of things they want to accomplish, which is probably my favorite series of hers. I love how real her stories are, and her books make you feel like you are right there in them.
I love that these books are geared for tweens, because not many books are. There are tons of books geared for kids, and many for teens, but it can be hard finding books for tweens. The kid ones can be too easy, and teen ones too challenging. I remember really having a hard time finding good books as a tween, and then I found these books. I love how her books are so realistic. Her books are so relatable, and it makes them so fun to read. I also love that there are plot twists you don’t see coming, it makes it so hard to put any of her books down!
I love that these books are geared for tweens, because not many books are. There are tons of books geared for kids, and many for teens, but it can be hard finding books for tweens. The kid ones can be too easy, and teen ones too challenging. I remember really having a hard time finding good books as a tween, and then I found these books. I love how her books are so realistic. Her books are so relatable, and it makes them so fun to read. I also love that there are plot twists you don’t see coming, it makes it so hard to put any of her books down!
 | I am Eli Hatton, a 15 year old student in Salt Lake. I love reading, programming, movies, video games, and running. My favorite subjects in school are math and science. This summer, my project is activism through educational articles, where I write about current national and global issues and what you can do about them. |
 | My name is Andrew Chardack. I go to West High School. My favorite things to do are Basketball and drawing. I have 2 dogs, Miloe and Ruby. Project: in my project I am giving techniques on how to draw. Then I will show how to do a basic drawing. This will have an English and Spanish translation. |
 | Hi I'm Alex. I like to bike and play video games. I am interested in engineering and medical related things. Hope you all enjoy my project when I show it to y'all. |