Archive for College Counseling

FAFSA webinar recording and helpful links

Thank you to all Da Vincians who joined us on Thursday 10/6 for our Financial Aid Workshop for Senior Families.  In this workshop, we provided a general overview and explanation of the federal student financial aid process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) were explained along with grants, federal loans and scholarships.  The session was recorded and can be found HERE

Important Reminders and Resources on Financial Aid:

 

  • To complete and sign a FAFSA electronically, both the student and the parent need an FSA ID.  CLICK HERE for information/a helpful video on creating an FSA ID.

 

  • If you are applying to a private college, you many need to complete the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.  The CSS Profile is used to assess the student for institutional aid, which may include merit-based aid.  Here is a list of colleges that requires the CSS Profile.

 

  • If you are an undocumented student, you may be eligible for the state aid and institutional aid.   Please complete the DREAM Act Applicationto apply for these funds. Please connect with your counselor if you need support with this process.

 

  • If you are or were a foster youth, you may qualify for the CHAFEE Grant. Please connect with your counselor if you need support with this process.

As always, please reach out to your respective counselor if you have any questions.

 

  • The DV Counseling Team

Welcome Back Designers!

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! We are excited to have you as a part of the Da Vinci Design community and are looking forward to a great year together.

We view your student’s mental health and well-being as a priority for their success at this school. In support of this, we have invested in several resources that you can access whenever you need help. Remember, you are not alone, and it is a true act of bravery and strength to seek help.

We encourage students to visit the on-campus resources and save the community resources so they can access them if they or someone they know needs help.

On campus:

  • Students can access help by visiting their school counselor. Students can stop by counselors office or email them to set up an appointment.
    • Pam Baker-Student last names A-Gl
      • pbaker@davincischools.org
    • Nicole Tafoya– students last names Go-O
      • ntafoya@davincischools.org
    • Fabiola Martin– Students last names P-Z
      • fmartin@davincischools.org

In our community:

Da Vinci Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support our community’s mental health.

If you or a family member is looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance.

Care Solace’s care navigation services are confidential and complimentary to  Da Vinci Schools’s students, staff, and their families. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

  • See your school counselor OR
  • Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 OR
  • Visit www.caresolace.com/davincischools and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

In an emergency:

  • Call 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response
  • Go to the closest emergency room for support
  • Call the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
  • Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
  • Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

El Camino Dual Enrollment!

Hello Juniors and Seniors!

El Camino College has added another asynchronous class for Spring 2022! They are now offering Business 25 – Intro to business, along with Psychology 101 – General Psychology, to rising Juniors and Seniors at DVD. These classes are completely free and will be held virtually on Canvas, the El Camino College student portal.

The deadline to apply is tomorrow February 10 by 12pm!

Please see the attached forms for more information about the classes being offered along with specific information on how to apply to these courses.

ECC Dual Enrollment Spring 2022

Spring 2022 College Courses Parent Letter

If you have any questions please see your counselor. Please also note that these are college courses, taught by college instructors. All students must show their counselor and administrators the academic skills and accountability necessary to be in these courses. Students must abide by the college policies, including regarding absences and tardies. 

Sandpipers’ Scholarship Program

Hello seniors!

Here is an upcoming scholarship opportunity for you to apply to! Sandpipers has provided financial assistance to college-bound students since 1941 and is the oldest continuing aid program in the South Bay. Supporting more than 50 students per year, the program is unique in funding qualified recipients throughout the four continuous years of their undergraduate studies.  View the video about the Scholarship Program here: https://www.sandpipers.org/scholarships

High school seniors living in the South Bay (both citizens and eligible non-citizens as defined by the U.S. Department of Education) are eligible to apply for a Sandpipers Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. Detailed eligibility requirements are stated below.

  • U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education in The Student Guide)
  •   Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher
  • Permanent resident of the South Bay area of Southern California (roughly bounded by the 105 and 110 freeways)
  • Students residing outside the South Bay area are eligible if they attend a high school in the defined South Bay area
  • Demonstrate a financial need

The entire Sandpipers Scholarship Application is online and can now be accessed with this link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/78786-Sandpipers

All applications are due on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 5 PM, no exceptions.

Note: children and grandchildren of Sandpipers’ members are not eligible.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your counselor. 

UC Application Webinars

Hello Seniors!

The University of California, Merced is offering several webinars for prospective first year and transfer students this week to help make sure they have information and resources about how to apply at their fingertips.

Tonight Nov.1: About You/ Campus Choice and Majors
Students can register here to join us online tonight, Monday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. PDT for the first in a series of Discover workshops that are designed to offer them live support while they work on different sections of their application. Tonight’s session will focus on the “About You” and “Campus Choice and Majors” portions of the application.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 | 4 to 6 p.m. PDT : UC Application Advising Session Online (via Zoom) Register here.
Prospective applicants are invited to join a group advising session and meet one-on-one with an Admissions Advisor. They can ask questions about admission requirements, the UC application and more!

Wednesday, Nov. 3 | 7 to 8 p.m. PDT : Navigating the Personal Insight Questions
Online (via Zoom) Register here.
The UC Merced Admissions team will offer tips for students on how to best present themselves while completing the required Personal Insight Questions on the University of California application.

« Older Entries