AZ SB1611 = NO College for Undocumented Immigrant Students

Last night (2/22/11), the AZ Senate Appropriations Committee voted 7-6 in favor of SB1611, an omnibus bill that would ban undocumented immigrants from ALL public services. This would now include college and driving, among other things.

If the new bill is passed by the full Senate, full House, and signed by the Governor, SB 1611 would preclude undocumented students' admission to state colleges and universities entirely. That means Pima Community College, UA, ASU, NAU, and all other state institutions's doors would be closed to any student who can't prove their U.S. residency or citizenship.

According to a recent AZ Daily Star article, Sen. Pearce, author of AZ's infamous SB1070 and many other anti-immigrant bills, said,

"It is irrelevant that the fees these students are paying may help keep tuition down for Arizona residents. "They can't be employed" in this country, Pearce said, so their education is not a benefit to Arizona. And he disputed the contention out-of-state tuition covers the full cost of educating students at universities or community colleges. Read the full article.

Many thought SB1070 was the worst anti-immigrant legislation created in recent history. However, it was only the beginning. Now, more than ever, we need YOU to get involved. Raise your voice! Stay aware! Stop this bill from becoming law!

• Call AZ Senators. Tell them you are against this bill.
• Attend a rally.
  
• Use Facebook, Twitter, texting, calls, emails to tell your friends to get involved.
• Stay updated with Border Action Network on anti-immigrant and anti-education legislation. SB1611 is only bill. There are others.
  

Our struggle, together, continues...

Excel in your education

• Read! Learn to write!
• Your education depends on you.
• Establish an educational plan early.
• Challenge yourself.
• Take as many AP/IB/ Honors classes as possible; college admission is becoming more competitive.
• Take advantage of dual enrollment programs. Take classes in local community colleges while in high school. This can save you money and time plus give you an edge over others applying to college. (Dual enrollment is free, if not less expensive for you while in high school. Ask your high school counselor for more information.)
• Be involved in your community.
• Inform and educate other students about educational opportunities for undocumented students.
• Ask questions.
• Look for guidance.
• Apply for scholarships.
• Be patient-current laws may take time to pass.
• Please remember that as an undocumented student you will need to work harder than other students.
• Contact individual colleges for application fee waivers if needed.
• Set your standards high.
• Excel in Honors/AP/IB English and Math. You will need it.

6 Common Myths about College

MYTH#1

“You have to be rich to attend a private university.”

Wrong! Seventy percent of the students attending private colleges receive need-based financial aid. In fact some students can qualify and attend a private university at little or no cost. Private institutions tend to have more funds available to students than public institutions.

MYTH #2

“Students should know exactly what they want to study before they apply to college.”

Not necessarily. You may have to make a career decision earlier if you plan to attend a specialized college of engineering, music, etc. But most colleges and universities encourage you to take a broad range of subjects to help you decide on a field of study. At most schools you will not need to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year or early junior year.

MYTH #3

“You must find the ‘perfect’ college.”

The perfect college probably does not exist. The best way to select the right school for you is to research three or four colleges that meet your criteria, and then visit each one.

MYTH #4

“Telling a university that you are applying for financial aid may hurt your chances for admission.”

Not true! Selective colleges do not let a family’s financial ability enter into the admission decision.

MYTH #5

“Admissions officers consider only grades and test scores when considering an applicant.”

Selective colleges are also interested in the rigor of the subjects taken, the competitiveness of the school, and upward or downward trends in grades. Your application essay, as well as extracurricular and leadership activities, talent and personal character are also very important. A word of caution: quality over quantity is what most colleges look for.

MYTH #6

“People say that because I have no social security number I will never be able to attend college!”

No one can ever deny you access to a college education. There are private scholarships available to help you fund your schooling if your academics are strong.

Year-by-Year CHECKLIST!

9^th Grade

• Talk with your counselor and inform them that you want to attend a 4-yr college or university and that you need to schedule college prep courses. Take algebra or geometry and a foreign language in both semesters.
• Maintain A’s and B’s in all your subjects.
• If needed, form a study group with friends who also plan to go to college.
• Create a Leadership Portfolio. For assistance with your portfolio please contact your counselor or www.scholarshipsaz.org. Save items such as
• Copies of report cards
• Diplomas and certificates
• Awards and honors
• A list of all school and community activities
• A list of offices held
• A list of your jobs (volunteer or paid)
• Begin visiting colleges or universities; scope out your competition.
• Participate in academic enrichment programs.

10^th Grade

• Review your ninth and tenth grade schedules with your counselor to make sure you are taking the correct classes.
• Maintain A’s and B’s.
• Continue to form study groups and do your research on prospective schools.
• Update your Leadership Portfolio at the end of each semester.
• Strongly consider taking the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test). The PSAT is a practice exam for the SAT I or ACT and required for several national scholarship programs. Students often take the PSAT in 11^th grade; however, extra practice during 10^th grade can only help familiarize you with the exam. Register in October. The fee is $13. Ask your counselor about a fee waiver. Practice using free online resources http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
• Continue to visit local colleges and universities with family and friends.
• Participate in academic enrichment programs and special summer workshops and camps for music, science, engineering, writing, tutoring, filmmaking, theater, language sports, and others.

11^th Grade

· Check with your counselor to be sure you are taking the right college prep courses needed for a selective 4-yr college or university and challenge yourself.

· Maintaining A’s and B’s is very important in your junior year. College counselors will be paying particular attention to these classes for rigor and performance.

· Register for the PSAT in October.

· Take the PSAT. The results will give you and your counselor an idea of your strengths and the areas you need to improve as you prepare for college admission. The fee is $13. Ask your counselor about a fee waiver. Depending on your score, you may also be eligible for national scholarships. Practice using free online resources http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html

· If you are taking Advanced Placement subjects, register for the AP exams in spring. Scoring well on these exams will enable you to earn credit for college-level courses. (University of Arizona accepts a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exams and some 3s for special courses. www.arizona.edu)

· Attend college fairs and presentations by colleges who visit your school and ask questions.

· Create a file on your favorite colleges and obtain information about these schools.

· Visit colleges that interest you. Try to meet with the admissions officer, academic professor in your intended program, student organizations, and athletics. Prepare questions about the school and have a transcript or list of courses you have taken since ninth grade.

· Think about re-taking the SAT I or ACT tests if necessary.

· Update your Leadership Portfolio.

· From May to July be prepared to receive mail from many colleges.

Over the Summer

· Read the college mail you receive. Return reply cards to schools that interest you. They will send you viewbooks, catalogues and applications.

· Visit your “short list” colleges in person if possible.

· Prepare for the SAT I and the ACT by reading books and manuals with the testing tips and sample questions. Attend workshops on how to prepare for these entrance exams if offered at your school or ask a counselor where you can prepare.

· Begin looking for scholarships. If you are not a candidate for them at this time save a copy in a folder and revisit it your senior year. All the money you can get is great.

12^th Grade

· Check with your counselor to make sure you are taking the right classes.

· Maintain A’s and B’s and do not get senioritis early!

· Update your Leadership Portfolio.

· Visit your short list schools again.

· Check frequently with your college counselor or career center director for information about scholarships awarded by your school, local companies and community groups.

· In early September, register for the SAT I and the ACT. Register a month or two before the test date.

· By the end of October, make a final list of the schools to which you will apply for admission.

· Make a file for each school and a checklist of the required admission items: transcripts, applications fees, recommendations, essays, test scores, etc.

· Pay special attention to deadlines.

· Apply early if you can.

Entire or portions of the information provided is property of www.scholarshipsaz.org. Because the information enclosed is made available by U.S. Government, post-secondary educational institutions, providers of financial aid, and other outside agencies, this information is subject to change without notification.

Preparing for College 101

How to prepare

Planning for college should begin as early as the eighth grade because that is when you need to decide whether or not you are going to follow a college preparatory track. A college preparatory track should include as a minimum:

· 4 years of English and Literature

· 3-4 years of Math (including advanced algebra and trigonometry)

· 2-3 years of Foreign Language

· 2-4 years of Laboratory Science

· 2 years of History and Social Science

· 3 years of Electives

16 year-long academic subjects

This schedule demands that you take at least 4 college preparatory classes in every year of high school, still leaving room for you to take additional electives in music, art, yearbook, etc.

If you are interested in engineering, math, science or computers, take all the math and science you can. If your strengths are history, writing, literature or the arts, take extra classes in these subjects. It is always a good idea to take extra foreign language courses. Your school counselor will help you plan you schedule according to your strengths and interests.

The following is only a suggested list that will help guide you to a successful senior year without stressing too much about your college application.