Nuhamin Demeku | Reporter
For low-income and minority students that cannot afford SAT tutors and essay editors, getting into top universities is extra challenging despite being qualified. Luckily there are several programs created to bridge the gap between low-income minorities going to top colleges.
Questbridge
For: Juniors and Seniors
Deadline: CPS: April 21, 2021; National College Match: September 29, 2021
Questbridge is a national nonprofit that connects exceptional students from low-income backgrounds and connects them to the nation’s best colleges. Juniors can apply to become a College Prep Scholar and have a chance to win a full scholarship to a college supper program (valued at $20,000), Quest for Excellence Awards ($1,000 for laptop, campus visit, or test score fees), a $500 travel voucher to attend Questbridge National College Admissions Conference at Stanford, Emory or UChicago, and so much more. Seniors can apply to the National College Match, a competitive full four-year scholarship worth over $200,000.
Link: https://www.questbridge.org/
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA)
For: Juniors
Deadline: December 14th, 2020
Description:
LEDA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping high achieving students from under-resourced backgrounds gain admission to the nation’s most selective colleges and support them afterward. All scholars attend an intensive seven-week summer program at Princeton University that includes leadership training, academic writing instruction, standardized test preparations, college guidance, and community building. Students also receive a $500 stipend.
Link: https://ledascholars.org/our-program/leda-scholars-program/recruitment-admissions/apply/
Thrive Scholars
For: Juniors
Deadline: January 6, 2021
Description:
Thrive Scholars provides low-income students of color with expert college advising, financial support, career development, and intensive prep-college academic prep. The Summer Academy includes a six-week academic boot camp filled with rigorous academic instruction in college-level writing and math. These courses are traditionally taught by college professors from Amherst College, Emerson College, MIT, UCLA, and USC. Students also receive a new laptop and a $500 stipend. The summer after 11th grade, Summer Academy takes place at Amherst College and the summer after 12th grade takes place at the University of Southern California.
Link: https://www.thrivescholars.org/2021apply/
USC Bovard Scholars:
For: Juniors
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Description:
The USC Bovard Scholars program aids high-achieving students with financial need to gain admission to and succeed at the nation’s top universities. This program gives expert admissions and financial aid assistance, comprehensive test preparation, and personalized career exploration experience.
Link: https://usc-bovardscholars.smapply.org/prog/bovardscholars/
College Point
For: Seniors
Deadline: Rolling Admission
Description:
College Point aids underprivileged rising high school seniors with free personalized college admissions counseling. Each student is paired with a qualified mentor that will provide guidance through the college process. It also includes college workshops on financial aid & FAFSA, essay writing, goal setting, major selection, scholarships, and more.
The Avon Echo 