Thank you for your interest in the "Save Me a Spot in College" scholarship contest!  This page provides information for teachers, counselors, principals, parents, youth organizers and other adults who want to involve their students/child(ren) in this scholarship contest.

All 6-12th grade students in California are eligible, and it's completely FREE to enter.  The entry deadline was March 15, 2008.  All winners will be announced in early June 2008.

LET'S PARTNER UP!

We encourage you to promote student participation at your school, community organization or church.  FREE promotional materials (postcards, flyers, and posters) are available.  Click here for a Partnership Form, where you can request these materials and get your school/organization recognized for its efforts to involve youth in this contest.  It is completely FREE to form a Partnership. However, students can still participate in the contest if there is no Partnership established.

TEACHERS / COUNSELORS / PRINCIPALS

Your whole school or individual teachers can use the contest to increase college awareness and to do projects tied to your academic program. 

 

HOW TO USE THIS CONTEST AT YOUR SCHOOL

  • Writing Standards - English and other teachers can use the written word entry format as a writing assignment tied to the state's academic standards.

  • Art / Computer Graphics - Art or Computer teachers can incorporate the poster entry format as an assignment to demonstrate how art can be used to communicate student ideas.  FREE posters for students to do their entries on are available upon request.

  • Animation / Film - Animation or Film teachers can use the TV ad entry format as a class assignment and provide students with technical support in this process.

  • Media / Communications - Classes that focus on the media can use the written word, radio ad, or TV ad entry formats as a class assignment for students to create their own news story or commercial about an important issue.   

  • Data / Statistics - Science, Math, Social Science, Economics and other teachers can encourage students to look up research reports on the Campaign for College Opportunity website or from other sources, and use research data and statistics to better understand college-access issues.

  • History & Social Studies - These classes can use this project as an opportunity to learn about California history, including the founding of our higher education system and the historic period in the late 1950's and 1960's when the Master Plan and much of California's infrastructure was developed.

  • College Prep / College Counseling - College counselors and faculty can inform students in workshops and meetings.  Programs such as AVID, Puente, Gear Up, MESA, and Upward Bound are likely to be very interested.

  • Clubs - This contest can be promoted in any club as a fun activity to work on during students' free time (e.g. nutrition, lunch time, after-school, etc).  This contest can be an especially relevant activity for students in clubs with a focus on public service or community issues, art, writing, media, animation or video/film.

  • Student Newspaper - Inform your student newspaper to write an article about the issue and the contest.

  • Leadership Classes / Student Government - Student leaders can take on the goal of getting their classmates to enter the contest, which encourages a college-going culture on campus.

 

SUGGESTIONS - HOW TO PUBLICIZE THE CONTEST

  • Order promotional materials on the Partnership Form.

  • Provide every teacher, academic advisor, college counselor, and administrator with a contest poster/flyer to post up in their classroom or office.

  • Give all students a contest postcard.

  • Post a contest poster/flyer/postcard on bulletin boards, library, gym, cafeteria, etc.

  • Provide faculty and student leaders with postcards to pass out to interested students.

PARENTS

Encourage your 6-12th grade child(ren) to enter the "Save Me a Spot in College" scholarship contest.  It's a great opportunity for them to learn about college, promote the value of college participation, and help make sure state leaders are informed about the importance of college access.

If your child is 12 years old or younger, please complete and mail a Twelve & Younger Parental Permission Form before submitting any information online. 

YOUTH ORGANIZERS

This contest is a great activity for young people to get involved with!  It promotes college awareness and allows youth to speak up on an issue that directly affects them.