Ponte las Pilas

COLLEGE ACCESS GUIDE GET READY!

A guide for Latino high school students

PONTE LAS PILAS!

OUR MISSION

The Indiana Latino Institute's mission is to improve health and advance education for the Indiana Latino Community through statewide advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs.

PONTE LAS PILAS!!

YOU'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL NOW AND GRADUATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!

HAVE YOU ASKED YOURSELF:

Which opportunity is right for me?

Do I even know which choices are available?

Even if I know, how will I get the doors to open for me?

These are all good questions, and your Indiana Latino Institute Coach is here to help!

Internship graduation day!

The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) created this book to help Latino students find academic and career training during and after high school.

"ILI helped me find DACA scholarships."

"ILI helped me apply to college and financial aid."

"ILI helped me find my career."

ILI provides Indiana students with preparation workshops, professional development, mentorship, coaching opportunities, and Education Summits throughout their high school and college years.

-Ashley Frias, Pathways to Careers (P2C), IUPUI

-Vanessa Medina, Pathways to Careers (P2C), Marian University

- Jose Ocana, Pathways to Careers (P2C), Ivy Tech

Just like an athletic coach will train you to perform for a championship game, a college or career coach prepares you for a championship life after high school. Our coaches know how to:

Navigate application processes

Complete financial aid forms

Explore possible careers

Assist in securing internships

7th & 8th

Here are some hints to making your middle school and high school years prepare you for all the opportunities that will be available to you after high school!

During the 7th to 8th grade, you need to enroll in the 21st Century Scholar Program

WHAT IS A 21ST CENTURY SCHOLARSHIP?

DO MY PARENTS HAVE TO BE CITIZENS OF THE US FOR ME TO BE ELIGIBLE?

DO I HAVE TO DECIDE NOW WHAT I WANT TO DO AFTER I GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL?

DO I HAVE TO PAY TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM?

If a student is an Indiana resident, they can possibly attend college or vocational school for free! No! No! No!

YOU NEED TO ENROLL BEOFRE JUNE 30TH OF YOUR 8TH GRADE YEAR. YOU ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE AFTER THIS DATE.

*Visit learnmoreindiana.org to see if you qualify to be part of the 21st Century Scholar Program.

9TH GRADE

During the 9th grade you will have so many more chances to learn about yourself. Joining clubs, volunteering in your community, and creating lifelong habits are all NECESSARY to helping you earn good grades.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN CLUBS? HERE ARE SOME CLUB SUGGESTIONS

Colleges and Employers need to know you can handle academics at the same time as outside activities. Plus, every interest develops a different skill.

Book/Hiking/Video Game Clubs

Honor Society

Student Government

Band/Orchestra/Choir/Art

Debate/Theater/Speech

Robotics/Tech/Communications

Volunteer at school or community centers

COLLEGES WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO STUDY

EMPLOYERS WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES

Life isn't all about studying or work. It's about being part of a community. By the time you are ready to fill out a college or job application you will have lots of skills to write down. Your coach will help you determine which club or activity matches your goals.

If you tell a college, you want to be a doctor, but you have never volunteered in a clinic you’re not going to be very believable!!

School work always comes first!! Use your time in class and at school to get work done. Surround yourself with people that have the same goals you have and will help you reach those goals. Make sure to also take care of yourself mentally and physically!!

Are you taking care of your body and mind?

Are you getting 8-10 hours of sleep?

What's your eating habits like?

Are you exercising?

10TH GRADE

WHEN A COLLEGE REVIEWS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS, WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?

They look at your AP and/or Dual Credit Classes. These classes contain college curriculum at a faster pace.

They look at if you have an Honors Diploma or Technical Honors Diploma, which is earned with difficult classes This will show them you are ready for college level courses!

They look for your GPA as well, so get those grades up!

10TH GRADE

IT'S TIME TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND LEARN TO LEAD YOUR COMMUNITY

You are learning more about yourself and your community every day. Share your knowledge by mentoring other students. Many schools have opportunities to mentor or be mentored Become an officer in a club

MENTORING AND BEING MENTORED CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER STUDENT

It's true! School based mentor and mentees turn in higher quality class work, perform better in science, written and oral communication, and complete more assignments than their peers!

Does your school have a Latino Student Association? If not, why not create one? Latino youth are the fastest growing population in Indiana! Ask your ILI coach about how to establish a Latino Student Association at your school.

Leaders are not born, they are made!! You won't know until you try!

11TH GRADE

PLANNING ON GOING TO COLLEGE?

Your junior year is critical to gaining entrance to the school of your choice and winning scholarships. Good grades and continued involvement in clubs are important this year!

JUNIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES

STANDARIZED TESTS!!

ARE THEY AS SCARY AS EVERYONE SAYS THEY ARE?

PSAT is a practice test that gets you ready for the real SAT. The SAT is used by colleges to determine if you are ready for college classes. While not all colleges require you to submit your SAT score on their application, many still do.

The sat isn't the most important indicator of college readiness, but it can be a useful indication of what subjects you need to study more

If money is an issue, see if you qualify for test waivers! Click here to learn about eligibility If you qualify, speak to your high school counselor

Ask your academic counselor if your school has classes that will help you study the SAT!

SAT Practice and Preparation (College Board)

ACT Test Prep (ACT)

11TH GRADE

RESEARCH COLLEGES!

There are over 4000 institutions of higher education in the United States. There are big schools, small schools, work while you learn programs, city schools, and international schools. Visit a campus to see if you like it!

REVIEW THE SCHOOL LIST AT THE BACK OF THIS BOOK

ASK YOURSELF:

What type of training does my dream job require?

Where is this training available?

How much money does it cost?

Your ILI coach knows the answers! There are many resources available to you. Don't go through it on your own. Everyone has the same questions.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE!!

Scholarships for EVERYONE

11TH GRADE ILI Coach

Can I find someone to help me pay for my future?

There are many organizations who would like to pay for a Latino student to receive after high school training! Scholarships are financial aid awards that you don't need to pay back Do some research and find scholarships that fit you

Some examples include:

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Opportunity Scholarship -Undocumented and DACA only

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Indiana Latino Institute Scholarships and Internships

NEVER PAY TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP!!

It is especially important for undocumented and DACA students to apply for scholarships. Loans, scholarships, and grants funded by government money cannot be awarded to students who are not citizens or permanent residents.

Look for Internships!

11TH GRADE ILI Coach

What is an internship, and do I need one?

Internship=work experience offered by an organization for a limited time.

Want to be an architect in the future? Find an internship in an architectural firm Lots of employers would like to welcome you over the summer to their offices for work experience! I WILL HELP YOU!

Ask your high school counselor if your school offers time away to allow you to intern during the school year.

BTW, ILI offers paid internships to college students!

Also visit:

workandlearnindiana.com

ascenindiana.com

CREATE A SPREADSHEET TO TRACK ALL DEADLINES

The Common Application is the cheapest and easiest way to apply to most colleges. It allows you to complete one application that can be sent to multiple schools.

Essays and Letters of Recommendation

ESSAYS AND PERSONAL STATEMETS:

These are opportunities for admissions officers to know more about you individually. Start writing early and get feedback from peers, family, and teachers

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

Many applications ask for a character reference from mentors in your life These should be teachers, coaches, or employers that know you well

FILE THE FAFSA:

21st Century Scholars!

Remember your scholar track activities must be completed for you to still be eligible!

Students who are citizens of the US are eligible for federal aid via grants, loans, and workstudy programs. The form asks for information about schools you are applying to and annual income you or your parents earn. Based on your answers, you will receive a Study Aid Report Indicating how much aid you can receive Be sure to file the form by your college's deadline

Q&A FOR UNDOCUMENTED AND DACA STUDENTS

CAN DACA STUDENTS RECEIVE IN-STATE TUITION AND/OR STATEAID?

No. BUT, you can try and appeal your status! This is advocating for in-state tuition at a public university You can go to your office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and talk about this process ILI coach can help you also! Unfortunately, Indiana does not give out state-aid for DACA students.

WHAT ARE THE ADMISSIONS POLICIES IN INDIANA?

Undocumented and DACA students receive the same admission reviews as all applicants!

WILL THE UNIVERSITY DISCLOSE MY STATUS?

No Each university will work to protect each student's information from third parties, including citizenship status. Information is only released if court ordered or other legal requirement. Don't let this scare you from applying!!

DO CAMPUS POLICE WORK WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICES?

No. The role of police in each campus is to ensure a safe learning environment. Police won't inquire about immigration status in day-to-day activities. They will ask ONLY IF there has been criminal violations, or threats of criminal behavior

MONEY IS AN OBSTACLE FOR ME. CAN I STILL AFFORD COLLEGE?

Of course you can! There are multiple resources available for DACA and undocumented students If tuition is still too much to pay all at once, ask your Billing office for a monthly payment plan Ask if your university has scholarships available Ask, ask, ask!!

CAN I STILL APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS DESPITE MY STATUS?

Yes! For DACA students you can even get paid internships! For undocumented students, ask if you can get the money in the form of a scholarship stipend. Regardless, your status does not stop you from getting internship experience!

Instagram: @IndianaLatinoInstitute Twitter:@IndianaLatino TikTok:@IndianaLatinoInstitute

FINANCIAL AID NOTES

FAFSA opens October 1st each year

Ask everyone about scholarships

Be wary of student debt scams

Ask if AP credits are accepted

APPLICATION PROCESS

Build resume early on in high school

Know your application deadlines

Practice and take SAT and ACT

Know and talk to your recommenders

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

Know your college's resources

College and high school are different

Manage your time effectively

Don't be afraid of asking questions

INDIANA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Anderson University

Ball State University

Bethel College

Butler University

Calumet College of Saint Joseph

DePauw University

Earlham College

Franklin College

Goshen College

Grace College & Theological Seminary

Hanover College

Holy Cross College

Huntington University

Indiana State University

Indiana Tech

Indiana University Bloomington

IU East

IU Kokomo

IU Fort Wayne

IU Northwest

IUPUI

IU South Bend

IU Southeast

Indiana Wesleyan University

Ivy Tech Community College

Manchester University

Marian University

Marian University’s Ancilla College

Martin University

Purdue University

Purdue Fort Wayne

Purdue Northwest

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Saint Mary's College

Saint Mary of the Woods College

Saint Joseph College at Marian University

Taylor University

Trine University

University of Evansville

University of Indianapolis

University of Notre Dame

University of Southern IN

Valparaiso University

Vincennes University

Wabash College