FUTURESNW BLOG
It’s almost here! Financial Aid season is right around the corner and we are here to help you complete your FAFSA or WASFA with support. Thanks to the partnership of the Washington Student Achievement Council, 12th Year Campaign, numerous school, community and college partners we are able to support 13 events this fall!
This list of events can be found her in Google doc form, or here on our calendar.
Click on the image below to register for this important September 21st event. Hear special keynote guest speaker, ESD regional economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman, present The Other Pandemic: Inequities in local COVID-19 economic impacts and recovery. Our Programs Manager, Ashley DeLatour, will also be providing attendees with an update and important resources about FAFSA/WAFSA (financial aid.) We’ll see you there!
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
Our friends and community partners at the Bellingham Goodwill Job Training and Education Center are hosting a FREE job fair on 07/12/2021 from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Attendees can meet employers ready to hire in a variety of jobs. Email Bea Bowen to learn more!
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships and our list of scholarship search engines and databases.
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Jack Cooke Kent College Scholarships. Rising high school seniors can sign up here to receive notifications about the next application cycle, which will open on Sept. 1, 2021 and close on Nov.18, 2021.
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
Do you a current or upcoming WCC student? If so, great news! These workshops can help you secure your funding and get your questions answered! Our FNW crew will be there to support your FAFSA/WASFA completions as well. https://www.whatcom.edu/get-started/campus-visits-engagements
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships .
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Scholarship
Brief Description
Due
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
For HS graduates continuing their education in the aviation industry.
6/25
In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: If you could get one 'do-over' in life, what would it be and why?
6/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Fall Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
6/30
To apply, students need to write an essay on the topic "How does art affect culture and society?"
7/1
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Use your imagination to create Duck Tape prom fashions in either the "Dress" or "Tux" category for a chance to win $10,000!
7/21
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don't Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
We have so much to celebrate at FuturesNW! Kyla and Sebastian just graduated this week from SQHS and we are so beyond proud of their hard work and determination to get across the finish line in what has been an incredibly challenging year. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you both as part time staff with our organization and I feel so excited for your future chapter in Oregon! The talent in this power couple is fierce and the world is better place with them shining their gifts in it. Kyla is an incredible artist in every way shape and form, and Sebastian is a talented voice actor inevitably making us laugh at every meeting. Thank you both for the gifts you shared with us this year and for the way you showed up- even when it was difficult. You both have a very special place in our hearts and we hope to watch you grow and flourish for years to come.
Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/resources/scholarships and our list of scholarship search engines and databases.
The 2021 SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. ($2,000) Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 15, 2001. Must be entering college for the first time during the fall of 2022-2023 school year. Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years, must reside in the United States. Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible. Due Oct. 15. Visit the website for free marketing tools!
Scholarship
Brief Description
Due
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
For HS graduates continuing their education in the aviation industry.
6/25
In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: If you could get one 'do-over' in life, what would it be and why?
6/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Fall Issue
Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.
6/30
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Use your imagination to create Duck Tape prom fashions in either the “Dress” or “Tux” category for a chance to win $10,000!
7/21
ERCA Community Contribution Scholarship
For HS students who have recognized a need or problem in their community and have determined a way to address the issue.
7/26
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
In 250 words or less, submit a response to the question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
7/31
In 250 words or less, describe an incident in your life, funny or embarrassing (fact or fiction), and make us laugh!
8/31
Open to K-12 students, college students, law school students, grad students, adults 25 years of age and older, and seniors 65 years of age and older. Each age group has different requirements, so applicants should visit the website for details. Amount varies.
9/17
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
($1,000) - Write a 140-character statement that completes this sentence: I pledge to not text and drive because…
9/30
Scholarship Poetry Contest - Winter Issue
($100-$500) - Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less.
9/30
($1,500) - In 250 words or less, submit an online written response to the question: If you could say one thing to the entire world at once, what would it be and why?
9/30
My name is Kallie Karlsvik and I am a DVR intern at Futures NW. I wanted to share my story of how I got here. I had a pretty typical childhood until I turned 16. When I was 16, my parents who were commercial fisherman at the time, lost their tribal spousal permits. This meant that they were not able to run their own boat anymore due to other people breaking our treaty. One person ruined this for the entire fleet. My parents lost their house, boat, vehicles, and everything they knew. I then had to fully financially support myself while in high school. I started attending running start as a junior, worked full time, and finished high school credits as well.
By then, my parents only had enough money to support themselves and my younger brother. I had to fully make those ends meet at sixteen. By then, my most cost efficient option was to do running start. Running start is when you can take college classes in high school. The high school usually pays for this and everything is paid for. By my senior year, I was graduating with my diploma and my Associate’s Degree of the Arts and worked a full time job. I felt like I was ready to take on the world, except I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I realized there was nobody in high school who talked to us about post-secondary plans after high school. I ended up taking a gap year to explore different college and different career paths on my own. Once the year ended, I discovered my ultimate goal is to become a substance use disorder counselor and work for Indian health services. I started my journey by attending Western Washington University. I am currently a human services major and will be graduating by spring of 2022. After I graduate, I plan on going to Northwest Indian College to pursue a degree in substance use disorder counseling.
I am now juggling the difficulties of going to university and the struggle of the Covid-19 pandemic. I wanted to share my story to show other Native Americans and all other students that they can do anything they set their minds to. Anything is possible if you work hard enough, and I wanted to share my living proof of that. Thank you!
Please click anywhere below to access full version and linked content.
All past newsletters can be accessed on the CRN web page at whatcomabc.org/CRN
At FuturesNW we are not only fortunate to have an incredible crew of interns but we also have amazing volunteers who help support students in our organization! Just this weekend we watched the virtual graduation at WWU and cheered on three of our wonderful volunteers: Edson, Johana and Renee’! We are so grateful to their service to our community and are beyond proud of their accomplishment and the hard work they each put into becoming human services professionals. Our community is so lucky to have such incredible humans in it and we are lucky to work alongside them. Congratulations Edson, Johana and Renee’- you did it!!!
It has been a privilege working with Sandra the past few months and watching her grow in her abilities. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to have her on our team for a longer amount of time! Sandra graduates this Spring from Western Washington University and it is with great pleasure we are able to exclaim, “Way to go! You DID it!!” Sandra spent her days with us in our DVR, grants, and operations arena. She is a logistical pro, a wonderful organizer, and always chimed in with the best ideas and processes to keep the whole team running on a smooth schedule. Workshop presentation and public speaking was her area of growth, and we were thrilled to witness her progression into a confident and capable workshop facilitator. Her grant writing abilities are superb, and she possesses a keen eye for details and technical writing. Whatever the task, she will complete it with professionalism, confidence, and a wonderfully kind and gentle spirit. Her next step after graduation is job hunting for a human services position. She will be a huge asset to her future employer and they will be the lucky ones to get to work with Sandra! We sat down with her to hear her reflections, thoughts and advice to future college students.
Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?
It feels surreal when I think about it. I remember my first day of the quarter of my first year at Western and thought that four years would feel like an eternity to finish. It truly felt like a blink of an eye, and boom, graduation is this weekend. Thinking back at the different experiences I’ve gone through and seeing how I’ve grown as a person and student.
Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?
My biggest piece of advice is to take care of yourself and find a good support system. Navigating higher education is hard but having a good group of friends makes it better. I know at least for myself there were times when I thought that I couldn’t keep going. My friends were the ones who supported me through that and encouraged me to continue. Also, to listen to your body and take time to take care of yourself. Give yourself breaks and times to enjoy being a student.
Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?
I wish I would have known how quickly the years go by and how important it is to find your community. Also, to not take myself so seriously all the time and to appreciate the small joyous moments.
Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?
I was able to attend Western because I got financial aid. There was no way that me or my family could afford for me to go into higher education without going into massive debt. As a first-generation student I did not know what financial aid looked liked for higher education and I’m grateful that I had a support system that helped me navigate that.
Q: What will you miss the most about college?
I’ll miss getting together in the ethnic student center and just talking to people. Finding conversation with people in the most random places and sparking a friendship from there. I will miss the community I gained in my time there.
Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?
My favorite memory from my time at FuturesNW has been the team meetings. It was a great space to find support and talk through things. I would say that I especially liked our Skribblio team games were especially eventful.
Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?
My next chapter will consist of job hunting and continuing to work at my family’s business until I find the right job.
