kwashington

October_Scholarship_Newsletter

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept29

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 29th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

This week’s update also includes important new financial aid information with links and contacts to help you navigate FAFSA, the CA Dream Act, and other funding resources.

Please take time to review the newsletter and explore the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will set a strong foundation for your next steps after graduation.

If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,
Kene

Scholarships – Week of September 22

Senior_Weekly_College_Career_Update_Sept22 (1)

Dear Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 22nd. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. I am here to guide you through this exciting journey.

Best,
Kene

The Department of Education (ED) officially launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 academic year a week early. The launch came after a successful beta testing period in August.

What does this mean for your students?

Earlier access: Students and families can complete the form now, giving them earlier access to financial aid information.
Positive feedback: Beta testing yielded strong results, with 97% of users satisfied and 90% reporting a reasonable completion time. We anticipate a smooth and effective start to the new application cycle.
Challenges for mixed-status families: ED has not yet provided a permanent solution to identity verification issues, which continues to pose a challenge for these families when attempting to file the FAFSA and privacy concerns.

The 2026–27 CADAA opens October 1!
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) opens on October 1.
The CADAA is available to eligible undocumented Californians and mixed status families. While the CADAA provides access to state and institutional aid, students who file only the CADAA are not eligible for federal financial aid dollars.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me Kene Washington – kwashington@davincischools.org  and/or (310) 725-5800 ext 7013.

Hello Seniors and Families,
As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will also be applying for financial aid. One of the funding opportunities available to California students is the Cal Grant—a state grant that helps pay for college and does not need to be repaid.
The Cal Grant can be used at:


University of California (UC) campuses
California State Universities (CSUs)
California Community Colleges

Qualifying independent (private) universities and career or technical schools in California

How to Qualify
To be considered for a Cal Grant, students must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

Meet financial and eligibility requirements
Meet minimum GPA requirements
Be a recent high school graduate

List California colleges on the FAFSA or CADAA

For full details, please visit http://www.calgrants.org.

GPA Submission Requirement
Da Vinci Connect High School is required to submit students’ verified GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This information is used to determine Cal Grant eligibility.


By law, families have the option to opt out of this process. Please note:
If you submit an Opt-Out Form, your student’s GPA will not be submitted, and they will not be eligible for the Cal Grant.

If you do not submit an Opt-Out Form, Connect High School will send your student’s GPA to CSAC automatically.

Important Deadline
If you wish to opt out, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form and return it to Kene Washington at kwashington@davincischools.org before Friday, September 26, 2025.

Click here http://Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form

Hi Seniors & Families!

Join us for FAFSA Night, tonight at 5:00 pm (Zoom). This workshop will guide you step-by-step through FAFSA, share updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your financial aid questions.

Special Kickoff: The LifeLaunch program will open the meeting, sharing free college & career pathways in healthcare, aviation, and business for graduating seniors.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Learn FAFSA basics & why it’s required
Get 2025–2026 updates (simplified app, new rules)
Review documents you’ll need
Hear key deadlines (March 2, 2025 CA priority)
Avoid common mistakes

Event Details:
Monday, Sept. 22
5:00 PM
Zoom: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1
Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479 | Passcode: 256439

Who Should Attend: Seniors + Parents/Guardians

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept15_2025

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 15th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out.

Best regards,
Kene

Attention Seniors & Families!

Join us for FAFSA Night on Monday, Sept. 22 at 5:00 pm (Zoom). This workshop will guide you step-by-step through FAFSA, share updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your financial aid questions.

✨ Special Kickoff: The LifeLaunch program will open the meeting, sharing free college & career pathways in healthcare, aviation, and business for graduating seniors.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Learn FAFSA basics & why it’s required
Get 2025–2026 updates (simplified app, new rules)
Review documents you’ll need
Hear key deadlines (March 2, 2025 CA priority)
Avoid common mistakes

Event Details:
📅 Monday, Sept. 22
🕔 5:00 PM
💻 Zoom: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1

Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479 | Passcode: 256439

Who Should Attend: Seniors + Parents/Guardians

Mark your calendars and log in with your family—this is your chance to get a head start on college financial aid and learn about exciting LifeLaunch opportunities after graduation!

Hello Seniors and Families,
As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will also be applying for financial aid. One of the funding opportunities available to California students is the Cal Grant—a state grant that helps pay for college and does not need to be repaid.
The Cal Grant can be used at:

University of California (UC) campuses
California State Universities (CSUs)
California Community Colleges

Qualifying independent (private) universities and career or technical schools in California

How to Qualify
To be considered for a Cal Grant, students must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

Meet financial and eligibility requirements
Meet minimum GPA requirements
Be a recent high school graduate

List California colleges on the FAFSA or CADAA

For full details, please visit http://www.calgrants.org.

GPA Submission Requirement
Da Vinci Connect High School is required to submit students’ verified GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This information is used to determine Cal Grant eligibility.

By law, families have the option to opt out of this process. Please note:
If you submit an Opt-Out Form, your student’s GPA will not be submitted, and they will not be eligible for the Cal Grant.

If you do not submit an Opt-Out Form, Connect High School will send your student’s GPA to CSAC automatically.

Important Deadline
If you wish to opt out, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form and return it to Kene Washington at kwashington@davincischools.org before Friday, September 26, 2025.


👉 Click here http://Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 8th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.
If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. 

Septemer 11th Scholarships

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept8_2025

Best regards,
Kene

Attention Seniors and Families!

We are excited to invite you to our FAFSA Night on Monday, September 22nd at 5:00 pm (hosted on Zoom). This workshop will walk you step-by-step through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, provide important updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your questions about financial aid.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in preparing for college. By attending, you’ll learn:

What FAFSA is and why it’s required for federal, state, and many institutional financial aid programs.
Updates for the 2025–2026 FAFSA, including the new simplified application and changes from the FAFSA Simplification Act.
What documents you’ll need to complete your FAFSA (tax returns, Social Security numbers, income statements, etc.).
Key deadlines for federal aid, the California State priority deadline (March 2, 2025), and individual college deadlines.
How to avoid common mistakes and ensure your FAFSA is submitted successfully.

Who Should Attend?
High School Seniors planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, university, or trade school.
Parents/Guardians who will help provide financial information for the FAFSA.

Event Details
Date: Monday, September 22nd

Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Zoom

Kené Washington is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1

Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479

Passcode: 256439

FAQs We’ll Cover

What’s the difference between FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application?
What happens if my family didn’t file taxes?
What should I do if my financial situation has changed?
Do I need to complete the FAFSA every year?

Next Steps

Mark your calendars for September 22nd at 5 PM.
Encourage both students and parents to attend together.

This is your chance to get a head start on securing financial aid for college! Don’t miss out.