Counseling
College Board Opportunity Scholarships: Practice Pays Off
Ana Sanchez of Azusa High School in Azusa, CA reflects on just how easy it was to link her students with the College Board Opportunity Scholarships.
As thousands of counselors around the United States join a national movement to support students on their college journeys, counselor Ana Sanchez of Azusa High School in Azusa, CA reflects on just how easy it was to link her students with the College Board Opportunity Scholarships. “I was thrilled to see that it didn’t require an essay or a minimum GPA. I couldn’t believe how easy it was [for students] to qualify and how simple the steps are,” says Sanchez.
Sanchez and her counseling team were even more excited to learn that one of their students, Haley Pink Garcia, earned a $1,000 “Practice for the SAT” scholarship after simply using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy to prepare for her test day. Haley now serves as inspiration to her classmates and encourages other students to participate. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Haley. “The College Board Opportunity Scholarships award those who complete tasks such as creating a college list or practicing for the SAT; which is only going to benefit you on your journey to college.”
On the campus of Azusa High School, word is spreading fast about the College Board Opportunity Scholarships. Counselor Ana Sanchez continues, “It is wonderful that one of their classmates earned $1,000. It serves as a motivating factor for others. Our school community is thrilled that one of our students earned this scholarship simply by building a college list and practicing!”
An interview with Azusa High School Counselor Ana Sanchez:
Q: Which of the available College Board Opportunity Scholarships resources has been most valuable to you?
A: As a counselor, the video on Opportunity Scholarships has been a great and useful tool. It highlights how easy it can be to earn free college money. In addition, the Clearer Path to College Flyer outlining the simple 6 steps has been a great tool to share with students.
Q: Which of the available Opportunity Scholarships resources has been most valuable to your students?
A: For our students I would say, linking their PSAT scores from College Board to Khan Academy has been the most beneficial. Because it provides them with opportunities to practice areas of need. In addition, many students tell me that searching for colleges and reading about them has helped them to narrow their choices.
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships are open to all class of 2020 students who attend high school in the United States, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. Students in the class of 2021 will be eligible beginning in late 2019. Students can opt-in by visiting the scholarships homepage, and counselors can get a free resource kit to support students by taking the counselor pledge!