College Corner

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Your Path to Higher Education Starts Here

Demos go to College!

The California State University system offers a diverse and affordable pathway to a fulfilling education. With 23 campuses across the state, it's the largest 4-year public university system in the US, serving over 485,000 students. Join us as we explore each campus and its unique offerings.

Many of our Thomas Jefferson High School Students chose to attend schools within the CSU System. Click any of the picture slides to the left to learn more about each school system.

Your Path to Higher Education Starts Here

GearUp4LA

GEAR UP 4 LA aims to significantly increase student success in high school, persistence in college, and preparation for career and life-long learning. Under the motto “Building Powerful Futures,” our dedicated and passionate team of Equity Warriors have built strong futures for over 24,000 first-generation students and their families since 2011, building relationships with each while providing wraparound supports – including counseling, mentoring, college visits, and workshops – to students starting in sixth and seventh grade through their first year of college.

Pay for College

Financial Aid

5 Reasons To File The FAFSA
Every year, billions of dollars in free money go unclaimed by eligible, college-bound high school grads who didn’t complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

If the potential of claiming part of that to help fund your own education isn’t reason enough to file the FAFSA, here are five more for you:

1. It’s free.
The first “F” in FAFSA stands for FREE. That means that it costs you $0 to submit your application, whether you end up qualifying for aid or not.
2. It’s quicker and easier than you think.
The FAFSA is available online or even via app, and it will take you 30 minutes MAX to complete—a small time investment for a big potential payoff!
3. It offers a more realistic price tag.
The initial “sticker price” of tuition and fees can be a little overwhelming. But once you factor in all available need-based assistance—available only by filing the FAFSA—the actual billable cost that you and your family will be asked to pay is often a lot more digestible. Need-based Florida Tech grants. Low-cost loan programs. Federal Work-Study. These can only be made available to families who file the FAFSA.
4. Your parents DON’T make too much money, and your grades ARE good enough.
Despite what you may have heard, there is no income cutoff to qualify for financial aid, and while a higher GPA helps earn academic scholarships, most federal student aid programs are based on need, not high school GPAs or test scores.
5. There’s no downside!
The only surefire way to know what you’re eligible for: APPLY!

Take me to my FAFSA Application

Pay for College

Scholarships

Downloadable Scholarship Tracker

🧭 1. General Scholarship Search Engines
These websites aggregate thousands of scholarships and are updated frequently.

Fastweb – Matches students with scholarships based on a profile.
Scholarships.com – Large database, sorted by categories.
Cappex – Includes scholarships, college matches, and reviews.
Going Merry – Easy to use, allows you to apply for multiple scholarships with one application.
BigFuture by College Board – Offers scholarship search and college planning tools.
Niche – Browse scholarships by major, interest, or state.
Scholly – Mobile-friendly, personalized matches (paid subscription available).

🏫 2. Local Resources
These can be less competitive and very valuable.

High School Guidance Counselor – Always check here first for local and school-specific opportunities.
School District Website or Bulletin Board – Local businesses, civic organizations, and alumni often fund scholarships.
Local Libraries or Community Centers – Some keep binders or lists of local scholarships.
Local Businesses and Banks – Many offer scholarships to students in the community.
Chamber of Commerce – May list local business-sponsored scholarships.

🎓 3. College and University Scholarships
Most colleges offer merit-based and need-based scholarships.

University Financial Aid Website – Check individual college websites under “Financial Aid” or “Scholarships.”
Departmental Scholarships – Offered by specific departments (like Engineering or English) within colleges.
Admissions Scholarships – Often awarded automatically based on GPA, test scores, or class rank.

🧑‍🎓 4. Identity-Based Scholarships
These support students from underrepresented or specific demographic groups.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Point Foundation (LGBTQ+ students)
American Indian College Fund

🎖️ 5. Scholarships by Academic or Extracurricular Achievement
Many scholarships reward talents, leadership, or service.

National Merit Scholarship Program – Based on PSAT scores.
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation – Recognizes leadership and service.
Elks National Foundation Scholarships – Available to high school seniors nationwide.
Burger King Scholars Program
Davidson Fellows Scholarship – For students with significant achievements in science, technology, math, literature, or philosophy.

💼 6. Employer-Affiliated Scholarships
Many large companies offer scholarships to employees' children or the public.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Dell Scholars Program
Google Scholarships
Walmart Foundation Scholarships
McDonald's HACER Scholarship (Hispanic students)

Ask your parent or guardian’s employer if any scholarships are available.
📅 7. Monthly and Ongoing Scholarships
These often require essays, videos, or creative work.