Seattle World School Scholarships & Mentoring 838

Mission

To help Seattle's IMMIGRANT and REFUGEE STUDENTS continue their education after high school and reach their educational goals.

We are the only Seattle group specifically focusing on funding and mentoring low income immigrant and refugee English language learners as they move on from high school to college or University.

Our mission is to help students with whatever is needed to remove obstacles to successful completion of chosen educational goals.

Description

For more info:  www.friendsofseattleworldschool.com/alumni-scholarships/

Since 2007, we've awarded scholarships and offered 1:1 mentoring to over 400 students.

We give ALL funds we raise directly to students, except for a 6% fiscal management fee to the Alliance for Education.  We can do this because our leadership and mentors are all volunteers -- "Friends of Seattle World School".

Our students arrived here as teens from Vietnam, Somalia, China, Laos, Liberia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Kenya, Mexico, Eritrea, El Salvador, Gambia, Senegal, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Syria, Qatar, Yemen, Cambodia, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Palestine, DR Congo, Iran, Russia, Peru, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Ukraine.  

All attended the Seattle World School (SWS - the Seattle public high school for teens needing to learn English). They graduated from SWS or any Seattle public high school, and now attend local colleges and the UW, taking everything from Basic English to automotive to social work to pre-med studies. 

Students stay in our program as long as they need or want our help.  Students can reapply each year, and those who need to drop out for work or other reasons are welcome to return at any time.

This year we're serving 65 students at all the area community colleges, and the University of Washington. Awards rangefrom $600 - $4000, with larger amounts for students as they move along in their education, or for those with greater needs.  

WHAT WE DO:  

We recruit interested and eligible seniors at Seattle pubic high schools with Seattle World School alumni, and invite applications.  

We interview applicants and get to know each selected student so we can provide them with the specific assistance needed.   We accept students who range in ability from struggling to excelling, as long as they are motivated to improve and to work hard.

We pay for gaps in tuition, fees, transportation, laptops, hotspots, internet, test fees, food, medical/dental/eye care, glasses, rent, utilities, even winter jackets. 

We provide 1:1 mentoring for as long as it takes to completed educational goals -- we meet with students regularly, stay in close contact, send reminders as needed.  We help with choosing classes, majors, registering, understanding financial aid, accessing funds, transferring to 4 year college, writing resumes and personal statements, accessing resources, finding opportunities for English practice -- whatever is needed.  

All of our students attend Seattle area colleges or universities,  so we can develop ongoing relationships easily.  We know it's important for each student to know they have an adult who cares about them and their success. We have a good track record and enjoy many long term relationships with our wonderful students. We know how hard they work to achieve their goals. We really enjoy getting to know them and seeing them grow and learn.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: 

Any Seattle public high school senior or college student who has attended Seattle World School (SWS) - Seattle public schools' home for immigrants and refugee teens who need to learn English.  We accept graduates from SWS or any Seattle public high school.  We fund scholarships at public college and universities in the Seattle region.

Awards are based on need.  All recipients live at or below poverty level and many are homeless, in foster care, or living in Seattle without immediate family members.  Many work part or full time jobs while going to school, to support themselves or their families. Nearly all are first in their families to continue education after high school.