Happy 2024, please read the latest for Connect High School in the newsletters below.

Please click here for the latest newsletter.
(for Performing Arts and FAFSA sign ups click here.)

Please share them with the yearbook staff to be featured in the Yearbook! Scan the QR code in the flyer to upload!

Check out the scholarship available through the ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. – SIGMA ETA ZETA CHAPTER. Please click on the link and then “scholarships”, or CLICK HERE to access the form to fill out directly.

Please click here for the latest Connect HS Newsletter.

A big thank you to all our Freshman and Sophomores that shared their Exhibition Projects!  Thank you to Connect High staff, they have done an amazing job in fostering curiosity and a desire to learn (even if the lesson comes by way of a mistake) in our students!

Please join us on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 5:00-6:30 pm for the 11th Grade Exhibition. Engage with diverse student projects, including English 11 Honors’ exploration of themes from “Interstellar,” ASU English 11’s writing portfolios, ASU Psychology 11’s insights on stress and anxiety, and ASU Biology 11’s immersive Water Cycle exhibit.
We also have videos of our Pre-calculus students group sales pitches on a new coaster they designed for the theme park of their choice. Team Portfolios are included with all student work and the process to make this design possible. 

As you may know, November 30th was the application deadline for UC applications and most CSU applications. However, there are a number of CSU campuses that are continuing to accept applications and a list can be found here.  Students can also apply to UC Merced until January 15, 2024. 

Other highlights: 

• Community College: applications are open! Most students who have El Camino College on their college list completed their application during their advisory class.  In the spring, we will take prospective seniors to El Camino College to help them complete the enrollment process. If you haven’t finished filling it out and/or need help, please see Erin!
• Private Universities: Many seniors submitted their applications during the months of November and December.  Some seniors are still working through their private university applications via the Common App. and will continue to do so until early 2nd semester for those universities that have a later deadlines.
• University Portals: Once applications are submitted, many universities will require students to create a portal.  Portals are the main method of communication for many universities.  Please encourage your student to keep a close eye on their email, including spam, to access important information from prospective universities.

Financial Aid Update: 

The Department of Education just announced that the FAFSA will be available by December 31, 2023.  We encourage you to create an FSA ID, which allows you to digitally sign the FAFSA, prior to the launch. Both student and at least one parent need FSA IDs. Financial aid updates and resources are below:

• Create an FSA ID – it takes 2-3 to process so creating one now will allow you to start the FAFSA when it opens

• Changes to the FAFSA (video)
• The California Student Aid Commission announced that the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), financial aid application for undocumented students, will be launch at the same time as the FAFSA.
• Complete the CSS Profile,  if applicable.  The CSS Profile is used by private universities.  Here is the list for participating schools. Please check each university’s financial aid website for CSS and FAFSA deadlines as they vary. Ex: USC requires students/families to submit CSS profile.
• Below is a list of scholarships with upcoming deadlines, please check the blog regularly as scholarships are posted here when avaialble:
  1. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship – due 12/15/23
  2. Edison Scholars – due 1/23/24
  3. Equitable Excellence Scholarship Program– due 12/18/23
• Here are some scholarship databases to search on your own:
  • https://www.chegg.com/Scholarships
  • https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships
  • https://www.fastweb.com/

Deadlines for FAFSA/CADAA:

• University of California: March 2, 2024
• Cal State University: April 2, 2024
• Private Universities: Check each university site as deadlines vary

We know there are a lot of updates and we are here to help!  Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Application for High School Programs

The online application for the USC Summer 2024 Program is NOW OPEN!

USC Summer Programs offers current high school freshmen, sophomore and junior students a preview of “freshmen year” through their college immersion experience. Students explore Los Angeles as a laboratory for cultural learning beyond the traditional classroom. Their programs are designed to combine college level course work, academic field trips, and structured extracurricular activities.

USC Summer Programs offers 4-week courses in a variety of subjects from which students choose one course for intense study. Courses are interactive, engaging, and challenging, and students receive 3 units of transferrable USC elective credit upon successful completion. Students can choose from courses in the following subject areas:

• Architecture
• Business
• Engineering & Info Tech
• Global Studies
• Communication & Journalism
• Performing Arts
• Pre-Health/Science
• Pre-Law
• Writing & Critical Thinking.

To find out more about the program, visit the USC Summer Program website HERE.

Attention Seniors! While the most competitive CSU campus deadline to submit an application for Fall 2024 admission has passed on Nov. 30 (ex: CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, San Jose State to name a few), some of the CSUs have decided to extend their deadlines past Nov. 30! CSUs like Cal State Northridge, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Channel Islands, CSU East Bay (to name a few) have new deadlines of mid-January, and some end of January. Please CLICK HERE for a complete list of CSU campuses that are offering extended deadlines. Please note- some campuses’ extended deadlines are only open to certain majors. Please click on the link above to view this info, as well. See Erin if you have any questions!

Thank you to everyone who participated in honoring their loved ones, and adding cempasúchil (marigolds) and offerings to the ofrenda for Día de los Muertos! A special thank you to Senior Aaron Diaz and his mom, Abril, for providing the altar and decorations! Lauren has saved the written names, photos, and other added elements — if you are interested in claiming them, please find her to get them back. ¡Muchas gracias de nuevo!