Week 10 Announcements

Upward Bound—Avila University

Weekly Announcements 

Week 10

Week of November 19, 2012

Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events

Important Dates

• No tutoring week of November 19 due to Thanksgiving 
• Saturday Session December 1, 2012  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Saturday Session December 15, 2012 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Upward Bound Stress Relief Night (Only activity for December) December 15 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Rigorous Curriculum

Upward Bound encourages it’s participants to complete a rigorous program of study to help better prepare them for college. Below you will find what a student needs to take during their high school career to meet this standard. It is important to note that not every high school requires a rigorous curriculum for a student to graduate. Several Upward Bound students have come forward believing that their graduation requirements would meet college admission requirements. This is not true in all cases. Students need to understand that a rigorous program of study will not only prepare your student for college but in the majority of cases it will also meet college admission requirements.

As an Upward Bound participant — as a student who desires to attend college and succeed — completing a rigorous curriculum is vital.

Students who graduate high school and completes the rigorous curriculum listed below will be awarded “In Signum Rigorous” (The Medal of Rigor) to demonstrate their determination in college preparation.

Upward Bound Stress Relief Night

There is only ONE activity offered in the month of December for all students to attend! In honor of the holiday season and finals week, Upward Bound will be hosting a holiday party and stress relief night! The activities are to include the following:

• Salsa Dancing Lessons
• White Elephant Gift Exchange
• Beasts of the Southern Wild Film

Saturday, December 15th 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tutoring

Participants at Ruskin HS will have tutoring in room 218 from 2:50 PM-4:20 PM. Participants at Grandview HS will have tutoring in room 113 from 2:35 PM-4:05 PM. 

• Participants are required to have at least 6 hours of tutoring per month. You can come and go as you please during tutoring to get tutoring hours.
• Tutors in math, science, English, and Spanish are available to help assist you in your efforts to improve.
• If you need additional help, contact the Upward Bound office with at least 24 hours notice to schedule individual tutoring on Avila's campus.

Stipend

Stipends will be distributed as checks starting in the 2012-2013 school year and will be given out at the second Saturday Session of the month.

**Stipends for the month of October will be distributed during the December 15th Saturday Session.**

Recruiting

If you know any students that are interested in applying for the Upward Bound - Avila University program, they are welcome to apply. Applications can be found here and at the counselors office at Ruskin High School and Grandview High School.

Office Phone: 816.501.2438
Office Fax: 816.501.2461
Email: Upward.Bound@Avila.edu
Website: www.avila.edu/ub
Twitter: @UpwardBoundAU
Facebook: Facebook.com/AvilaUpwardBound
Blog: avilaupwardbound.blogspot.com

UPDATE: Veteran's Day Activity

The Veteran’s Day activity originally scheduled for this Sunday, November 4th has been moved to next Sunday, November 11th from 1:00-4:30PM. Participants should arrive at the UB Office (in Hodes) no later than 1:00PM that day. If you cannot attend due to a scheduling conflict, please call Pharamond at (816) 501-2439 to make alternate arrangements for the activity. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Dell Scholars Program

Paying for college can be difficult. Between rising tuition costs, looming housing bills and expensive books, shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars for a college education can be depressing. When looking to pay for college, applying for scholarships can be very important and essential to keeping cost low. 

The Dell Scholars Program is available to students participating in approved college readiness/college access programs. Upward Bound staff will help participants write for the scholarship throughout Saturday Sessions, tutoring, advising, and one-on-one appointments. Below you'll find out more information about the Dell Scholars Program.


Why we do what we do
While many students dream of obtaining a college degree, life sometimes gets in the way, particularly for those dealing with personal responsibilities at home or in their communities. The Dell Scholars program, an initiative of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, recognizes students who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their educations. In turn, these scholars serve as positive role models and change the trajectories for their siblings, friends and their communities.

We award 300 scholarships annually and since 2004, have provided students with $49 million in college scholarships and support services. The Dell Scholars Program places greater emphasis on a student’s determination to succeed than just academic record and test scores. We empower students to gain the knowledge; skill-sets and attitude needed to cope with their changing world and the circumstances in which they live.

Preparing more completely for college by taking AP, honors, and additional math and science courses in high school tend to result in increased college completion rates; and, college readiness programs prepare lower performing students for AP and Honors courses. Several studies have shown that completing rigorous academic curriculums in high school may help students overcome socioeconomic disadvantages. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation currently supports several types of college readiness programs under its education initiatives focus. The foundation believes that higher education is a key component to achieving one's potential as an adult. 

More Than a Check
The Dell Scholars Program is more than a check. Rather, the program aims to provide students with everything they need to begin and complete college. Dell Scholars receive $20,000 each to complete their higher education over the course of six years. In addition, the Dell Scholars Program provides its students with technology, a private scholar networking community, resources, and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to achieve their college degrees. Scholars become part of a support network for each other that is made up of themselves, their schools, families, peers and a dedicated Dell Scholar team at the Michael & Susan Dell foundation.

The Dell family foundation believes that funding a significant percentage of their college expenses will enable these students to focus on their college studies and complete their bachelor program.

The educational tools we provide our Scholars not only lessen the financial burden of purchasing these services and equipment, it also helps alleviate logistical constraints in accessing educational resources. By providing wrap-around services and add-ons such as notebook PCs, printers, textbook credits, etc., we are also able to strategically and directly intervene to help lessen the daily challenges of being successful in college.



Criteria for Application
To be eligible to apply for the Dell Scholars Program scholarship, you must meet the below listed criteria:

• Participating in a Michael & Susan Dell Foundation approved college readiness program for a minimum of two of the last three years
• Graduating from an accredited high school this academic year
• Earning a minimum of a 2.4 GPA
• Demonstrated need for financial assistance
• Planning to enter a bachelor's degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall directly after your graduation from high school
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Dell Scholars are students who demonstrate their desire and ability to overcome barriers and to achieve their goals. Your application will be evaluated on your:
• Individual determination to succeed
• Future goals and plans to achieve them
• Ability to communicate the hardships you have overcome or currently face
• Self motivation in completing challenging coursework
• Demonstrated need for financial assistance

If you do not meet the criteria to apply for the Dell Scholars Program, you may want to click on the sites listed below to help you continue on the path to a college education:

• To get a head start on your financial aid for college, please visit Fafsa4Caster.
• For additional information on financial aid, please visit www.finaid.org.
• For information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), visit www.fafsa.ed.gov, where you can complete the application online.
• To search scholarships you may be eligible for, visit Scholarships.com and www.fastweb.com.
• If you do not have a college access program in your area, you may wish to visit an online college access program at www.xap.com.
• To learn more about college access programs and how they help more students attend college, visit www.collegeaccess.org.

Week 7 Announcements

Upward Bound—Avila University

Weekly Announcements 

Week 7

Week of October 22, 2012

Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events

Important Dates

• Grandview HS Work Day (Friday October 26, 2012 10:00 AM-3:00 PM at Avila University)
• Gillis Community Service (Saturday October 27, 2012 1:00 PM-3:30 PM)
• Villa Ventura Community Service (Wednesday October 31, 2012 5:30 PM-7:00 PM)

Tutoring

Participants at Ruskin HS will have tutoring in room 218 from 2:50 PM-4:20 PM. Participants at Grandview HS will have tutoring in room 113 from 2:35 PM-4:05 PM. 

• Participants are required to have at least 6 hours of tutoring per month. You can come and go as you please during tutoring to get tutoring hours.
• Tutors in math, science, English, and Spanish are available to help assist you in your efforts to improve.
• If you need additional help, contact the Upward Bound office with at least 24 hours notice to schedule individual tutoring on Avila's campus.

Stipend

Stipends will be distributed as checks starting in the 2012-2013 school year and will be given out at the second Saturday Session of the month.

**Stipends for the month of September will be distributed during the October 20th Saturday Session.**

Recruiting

If you know any students that are interested in applying for the Upward Bound - Avila University program, they are welcome to apply. Applications can be found here and at the counselors office at Ruskin High School and Grandview High School.

Office Phone: 816.501.2438
Office Fax: 816.501.2461
Email: Upward.Bound@Avila.edu
Website: www.avila.edu/ub
Twitter: @UpwardBoundAU
Facebook: Facebook.com/AvilaUpwardBound
Blog: avilaupwardbound.blogspot.com

College Financial Aid Is Great At These Schools: Princeton Review College Rankings 2012

With many seniors applying to colleges across the United States, one of more important factors when selecting a school will be the type of financial aid given. The Princeton Review takes a look at the best schools in the United States that give out the best financial aid packages. 

To take a look, click here.

Week 6 Announcements

Upward Bound—Avila University

Weekly Announcements 

Week 6

Week of October 15, 2012

Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events

Important Dates

• Saturday Session (Saturday October 20, 2012 9:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Kansas City Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Saturday October 20, 2012 1:00 PM-4:00 PM)
• Gillis Community Service (Saturday October 27, 2012 1:00 PM-3:30 PM)
• Villa Ventura Community Service (Wednesday October 31, 2012 5:30 PM-7:00 PM)

Tutoring

Participants at Ruskin HS will have tutoring in room 218 from 2:50 PM-4:20 PM. Participants at Grandview HS will have tutoring in room 113 from 2:35 PM-4:05 PM. 

• Participants are required to have at least 6 hours of tutoring per month. You can come and go as you please during tutoring to get tutoring hours.
• Tutors in math, science, English, and Spanish are available to help assist you in your efforts to improve.
• If you need additional help, contact the Upward Bound office with at least 24 hours notice to schedule individual tutoring on Avila's campus.

Stipend

Stipends will be distributed as checks starting in the 2012-2013 school year and will be given out at the second Saturday Session of the month.

**Stipends for the month of September will be distributed during the October 20th Saturday Session.**

Recruiting

If you know any students that are interested in applying for the Upward Bound - Avila University program, they are welcome to apply. Applications can be found here and at the counselors office at Ruskin High School and Grandview High School.

Office Phone: 816.501.2438
Office Fax: 816.501.2461
Email: Upward.Bound@Avila.edu
Website: www.avila.edu/ub
Twitter: @UpwardBoundAU
Facebook: Facebook.com/AvilaUpwardBound
Blog: avilaupwardbound.blogspot.com

Week 4 Announcements

Upward Bound—Avila University

Weekly Announcements 

Week 4

Week of October 1, 2012

Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events

Important Dates

• Saturday Session (Saturday October 6, 2012 9:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Eagle Madness (Friday October 12, 2012 5:30 PM-7:00 PM)
• Saturday Session (Saturday October 20, 2012 9:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Kansas City Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (Saturday October 20, 2012 1:00 PM-4:00 PM)
• Gillis Community Service (Saturday October 27, 2012 1:00 PM-3:30 PM)
• Villa Ventura Community Service (Wednesday October 31, 2012 5:30 PM-7:00 PM)

Tutoring

Participants at Ruskin HS will have tutoring in room 218 from 2:50 PM-4:20 PM. Participants at Grandview HS will have tutoring in room 113 from 2:35 PM-4:05 PM. 

• Participants are required to have at least 6 hours of tutoring per month. You can come and go as you please during tutoring to get tutoring hours.
• Tutors in math, science, English, and Spanish are available to help assist you in your efforts to improve.
• If you need additional help, contact the Upward Bound office with at least 24 hours notice to schedule individual tutoring on Avila's campus.

Stipend

Stipends will be distributed as checks starting in the 2012-2013 school year and will be given out at the second Saturday Session of the month.

**Stipends for the month of September will be distributed during the October 20th Saturday Session.**

Recruiting

If you know any students that are interested in applying for the Upward Bound - Avila University program, they are welcome to apply. Applications can be found here and at the counselors office at Ruskin High School and Grandview High School.

Office Phone: 816.501.2438
Office Fax: 816.501.2461
Email: Upward.Bound@Avila.edu
Website: www.avila.edu/ub
Twitter: @UpwardBoundAU
Facebook: Facebook.com/AvilaUpwardBound
Blog: avilaupwardbound.blogspot.com