This webpage will serve as a resource for El Colegio students and parents to be able to access common career and college education websites used including links to school applications, scholarships, and financial aid. El Colegio staff will frequently update as needed.
LEAP Student Resource Website
If you are in or have been in the JAG Career Readiness class at El Colegio, you will use this website to explore opportunities and find relevant links for class.
Career Exploration
MN Career Field, Clusters & Pathways
A PDF of Career Fields, Clusters, and Pathways. It is organized by broad career fields then structured into 16 career clusters and 79 pathways. Once students have completed interest and personal assessments they will be able to identify career areas that interest and align with their strengths.
Construction Career Pathways has applications open for apprenticeships in Plumbing, Construction, Ironworking, and Operating Heavy Equipment.
The 2021 Step Up application is now available! Step Up provides Minneapolis youth with paid opportunities including internships and online learning experiences. They are 14-21 years old by June 1, 2021; They are not in college (PSEO is OK); and they live in the City of Minneapolis. The Step Up Application is now open and will close on February 15th. Minneapolis students apply here. Watch a short video to learn more about Step Up.
MIGIZI Tutoring and Indigenous Pathway Programs: Students ages 16-19 that identify as Indigenous, MIGIZI is offering Job Training and Paid Internships. Program starts on February 1st – March 25th. Students can apply here. MIGIZI is also offering Indigenous students in grades 9-12 tutoring services. For more information, Contact John Gwinn at jgwinn@migizi.org or at 612-558-1356.
CLUES’ Youth in Action (YA!) Program supports and guides Latinx high school students as they work to achieve their hopes and dreams through group activities. The YA! Program is open to Latinx high school students in and around Saint Paul and Minneapolis who are pursuing graduation and interested in college.
2021 Youth Leadership Conference
Registration is now open for the 2021 Youth Leadership Conference co-hosted by Casa de Esperanza’s Youth Amig@s and Violence Free Minnesota’s Youth Advisory Board. The Conference will take place on Saturday, February 27th from 12:30-5:00pm and Sunday, February 28th from 12:30-5:00pm and will be fully virtual via Zoom. There is no fee for attendance. Prizes will be offered throughout the conference.
This year’s theme is Change Starts with YoUnity. The Youth Conference is an annual opportunity for youth across MN to gather, reflect, listen, and learn with one another. This year across multiple breakout sessions, youth will learn about topics including policing and social movements, healthy and unhealthy relationships, ICE detention centers, healing and art, youth mental health, substance use, domestic and sexual violence in the LGBTQ+ community, and more. Any youth ages 11-18 from any location are welcome to attend. However, the resources shared after each session will be specific to Minnesota.
Youth must fill out this Google Form to register and select their breakout sessions. Youth must register by end of day on Wednesday, February 24th. We will close registration afterwards.
College Exploration
Virtual College Fairs
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is hosting Virtual College Fairs. They will be dynamic, new, digital meeting space that connects counselors, students, and their families with colleges and universities around the world.
MN Education Fairs will host virtual college exploration sessions and panel discussions. Attendance is free for all students! Student registration is now open: https://www.mn-acac.org/
Minnesota State has 37 state colleges and universities! The Explore Minnesota State Week is October 12-16, 2020. Over the MEA break, Minnesota State will be offering special visits — including virtual visits — for high school students.
Minnesota College’s PDF from Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The Choosing a College PDF provides a list of all MN Higher Education options. This included private, public, and for-profit schools in the state.
College Applications
University of Minnesota
The U of M has five institutions across Minnesota.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
MinnState has 30 community and technical colleges and 7 universities. All Minnesota State colleges and universities are waiving their application fee on October 25-31.
University of Wisconsin System
The University of WI system has 13 universities across 26 campuses.
MN Private Colleges
MN Private College system has 17 higher education options.
College Knowledge Month (CKM) Resources
Minnesota Free Applications List
MN schools fee waivers for the month of October 2020
Scholarships
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship is designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage in obtaining a college degree. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to graduating high school seniors, community college transfer students, undergraduate students, and graduate students.
The deadline is: February 15, 2021, https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be of Hispanic heritage
- U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
- Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2021-2022 academic year
- Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable)
MNACC Scholarship
The deadline is: March 8th, 2021 by 11:59 PM
MnACC is excited to provide scholarships for BIPOC students who are in pursuit of higher education. Students who are awarded this scholarship will receive a one-time award ranging between $500 to $2,500 to be used towards their education during the 2021-2022 academic year.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Identify as a BIPOC student graduating from a Minnesota high school
- Enroll as a full-time, first year student for the 2021-2022 school year at a MnACC member institution. For a full list of MnACC member institutions, please check the website.
- Complete the scholarship application, including the required essay, and enrollment verification, if selected as a recipient.
- If applying for the President’s Award, candidates must also submit an unofficial high school transcript, must have a minimum of 3.0 Cumulative GPA & at least one letter of recommendation.
2021 SHPE TC Academic Scholarship
The deadline is: May 15, 2021 at 11:59 CT
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Twin Cities Professional Chapter (SHPE-TC) is dedicated to providing scholarship funds and educational support systems for engineering and science students of Hispanic/Latinx backgrounds. The SHPE-TC Academic Scholarship supports Hispanic/Latinx students in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math.) The Chapter will be awarding multiple scholarships starting at $1,000.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Be a high school senior, college or university student, or attending graduate school. The term “college” throughout this application includes community college.
- Be a resident of Minnesota, or a student attending a college or university in Minnesota (regardless of status)
- Be of Hispanic or Latino/Latina/Latinx heritage
- Have a minimum cumulative high school or college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be planning to attend, or already attend an accredited U.S. college or university in fall 2021.
- Be planning to major in, or are currently majoring in, a degree program focused on science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). A list is provided in the application.
- Be able to submit to SHPE-TC confirmation of your enrollment for the fall of 2021.
Page Scholarship
Due: May 1, 2021
MALDEF Scholarship List
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund provides a yearly scholarship list for Undocumented students. Deadlines vary.
Beat the Odds Scholarship Due: Oct. 16, 2020
Act Six Scholarship Due: Dec. 1, 2020
EDUCATION LOAN FINANCE: Other Scholarship Opportunities
Federal & State Aide
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Understanding the FAFSA and MN Dream Act ( Spanish)
- Create an FSA ID It is needed for the FAFSA.
- Complete the FAFSA
- Request Tax Return Transcript from IRS
- “What Happens Once you fill out the FAFSA? (SAR)” Video
MN Dream Act application
- Apply for MN Dream Act
- Submit requested information
Resources for Undocumented Students
Social Emotional Support & Resources
Crisis Text Line
Active 24/7
Text “MN” to 741741
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Active 24/7
Call: 1-800-273-8255
Online Chat: Sucidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
Trevor Lifeline
Crisis Line for LGBTQ youth
Active 24/7
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678
thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now
Trans Lifeline
Peer support and crisis hotline run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers
Active 24/7
1-877-565-8860
The Steve Fund
Crisis line for youth of color
Active 24/7
Text “STEVE” to 741741
Counseling/Therapy Resources
El Colegio School Therapist
Ms. Adalinda Estrada
aestrada@el-colegio.org
Aqui Para Ti
Whittier Clinic
2810 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN, 55415
Clinic hours: 1:30pm – 5pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Appointments: 612-873-8145
Walk-In Counseling Center
Free anonymous counseling services for individuals and families over the phone or video
Walkin.org