This Week’s Featured Scholarship (for juniors):

Beat the Odds Scholarship. 

• Value: $5,000/year for 4 years

• Eligibility:

• Oregon public high school student in the class of 2027

• 3.0 minimum GPA. GPAs between 2.5 and 2.9 may be considered if transcript shows marked improvement.

• Plan to earn bachelor's degree in the United States. (Awardees who opt to attend a community college will have their awards held until they are ready to transfer.)

• Clearly communicate, both in the written application and in an interview, how education and/or your school is helping you overcome obstacles and land on a path to success.

• First-generation college student. Neither parent earned a bachelor's degree in the United States.

• Demonstrated financial need.

Summer Programs in Oregon:

5/15: Oregon Girls’ State application deadline

5/16: Oregon Boys’ State application deadline

• Location: Oregon State University

• Dates: Girls’ State–6/20-27. Boys’ State–6/21-27

• Cost: $100 application fee. (Other costs will be borne by the local American Legion post.) If the fee is a financial burden, send an email to the address on the application to have it waived.

• Description: Girls’ and Boys’ State are hands-on civic engagement programs where students learn about American democracy by actively participating in a mock state government.

• Eligibility requirements:

• U.S. Citizen

• Current high school junior

• Questions: Contact Payton Mauldin, <paydaymauldin13@gmail.com>

5/18: UO’s SAIL summer program registration open to all, regardless of financial need. Day program: July 20-24 for rising 9th-12th graders. Free program at the UO. Participants choose academic subjects to explore in fun, interactive ways. The program also includes helpful college-prep activities. Every SAIL participant who enrolls at the UO after high school will receive a $1000 scholarship.

5/18: Willamette University’s Camp College application deadline. Takes place 7/22-24 at Willamette U. for current sophomores and juniors. Opportunity to learn about college. Participants attend a sample college class, discover the differences between college types and sizes, and attend workshops re: the college application process. Free including meals, housing and transportation during camp. (Participants arrange their own transportation to and from camp.) Preference given to 1st-generation prospective college students, students with financial need, students from rural areas, and students with leadership potential.

5/22: OSU’s JumpstART Summer Pre-College Program scholarship application deadline. Program will take place 6/21-26 on the OSU Corvallis Campus. Week-long art intensive program for 9th-12th graders. Includes visiting artist series and classes in drawing, graphic design, sequential art/comics, painting, and photography. Registration deadline 6/5. Questions? Email anna.fidler@oregonstate.edu.

5/29: 4J SEAL Teaching Internship application deadline. SEAL interns serve as teacher’ aides for 4J’s 1st-5th grade summer school program. Program runs from 7/8-8/6, Mon-Thu from 8:30 am-3:30 pm at River Road Elementary School, with a training to take place on 7/1 from 9 am-3 pm. One OS “Summer Teaching Internship” credit available, and internship can count as part of the Senior Experience.

Lots more summer opportunities in the Complete College/Career Center News

Career Center Current Events:

Seniors submitting FAFSAs now. Due to a new fraud-detection process implemented on 4/26/26, you may be asked to verify your identity when you submit your FAFSA. You’ll be asked to go onto your phone/tablet (not laptop) camera with your government-issued photo ID. You won’t be permitted to “retry” this process later if you do not have access to your ID. Students who don’t have ID nearby will need to contact their college financial aid office to complete identity verification with them.

Sophomore PreACT scores. Now available from the College and Career Center. By the way, this test is just for practice. No colleges will see it. It just shows students the areas they’re strong in and the areas they should work on. Lori Sauter can interpret your scores for you if you have any questions.

Job Corps training opportunities. Free residential vocational training program.

Eligibility:

• Individuals between the ages of 16 and 24

• U.S. citizens or individuals authorized to work in the U.S.

• From families with either demonstrable income eligibility (paystubs from the last 6 months of work or other proof of qualifying for benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP, or free school lunch program) or individuals with a documented disability

• Interested in completing training and seeking work in that field

• must not be on probation or have pending court cases

Learn more by attending a Job Corps Virtual Campus Tour or Job Corps Information Session (every Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm PST). Apply via MyJobCorps account. Plan to provide a birth certificate or US passport, Social Security card (front and back), high school transcript, immunization record, proof of income eligibility, state issued ID.

5/16: Oregon Tradeswomen Career Fair. 9 am-3 pm  (no registration required)] at the Portland Expo Center [2025 N Expo Road (Hall E), Portland]. Free event for all youth and adults. Learn about skilled trades, explore free training and career pathways, and find job opportunities.

5/20: Skilled Trades Series, part 3 of 3: Talent Match Event. For juniors and seniors interested in a skilled trade. 10 am- 2 pm at WorkSource Lane (2510 Oakmont Way, Eugene). Participate in mock interviews, meet hiring managers, apply for internships and open positions, and explore job shadow opportunities. Good opportunity for finding summer positions, as well as entry-level career jobs. Register.

5/20: College Athletic Recruitment–Understanding Pre-Reads. Free webinar hosted by Matt Arant, an independent educational consultant who specializes in Division III, Ivy, and Patriot League athletic recruitment. For students looking to compete collegiately.

The Complete College/Career Center News (for lots more opportunities)