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The Access Programs and Services
Access Program Scholarships - Grade 12
Through the James W. White Scholarship Fund, The Access Program provides
scholarships to graduating seniors in participating high schools who have
been admitted to two- or four- year colleges and universities or to programs
offering advanced technical training. The scholarships, which are awarded
to students with special financial need, provide annual support for up
to four years to supplement financial aid awards made by the institutions
to which the recipients have been admitted.
Annual Scholarship Guide
Each year, The Access Program publishes a guide to local, state and national
scholarships for which Lorain County students are eligible to apply. The
guide provides up-to-date information on qualifications for the scholarships
as well as how, when and where to apply. It is distributed through participating
high schools, banks and community service agencies throughout Lorain County
or may be obtained by calling the Access office.
Mentorship Course - Grades 11 and 12
Combining classroom instruction with outside mentoring, this one-semester
class provides students with an opportunity to explore a specific career
through 40 hours of mentor service in an area of their choosing. Classroom
instruction integrates practical topics like resume writing, mock interviews,
and interpersonal and communication skills with critical thinking assignments
on topics such as diversity in the workplace. Daily journals,time logs,
independent research and on-the-job experience culminate in a final assessment
when students make a visual presentation to their peers. Careers explored
so far include international relations, biomedical technology, architecture,
television production, education, pro golf and club management, veterinary
medicine, accounting and the culinary arts.
The High School Advising Program - Grades 11 and 12
The Access advisor in each participating high school is available one
or more days each week to meet individually with students about all aspects
of their application for financial aid. Access advisors keep current on
the ever-changing details of college recruitment, admission policies,
student aid and scholarship programs and are able to offer students precise
and accurate information relevant to their own personal circumstances.
All family information discussed in advising sessions is ensured to be
confidential.
Mentoring - Grades 7 through 12
In the fall of 1994, The Access Program initiated a new service making
adult volunteers available to student groups for dialogue on overcoming
obstacles to career development. Volunteers are selected by The Access
Program on the basis of their own experiences in developing successful
careers and on their interest in serving young people. They are trained
in interactive methods to ensure their meetings are based on dialogue
rather than lectures. The mentoring program also includes field trips
for students to the mentors' worksites and to college campuses in Northeast
Ohio and a broad range of activities exploring careers and the preparation
necessary for them.
'SCO - Summer Camp at Oberlin - Grades 8 and 9
Held during summer vacation, students selected for this week-long, residential
camp at Oberlin College get an opportunity to experience college life
firsthand and hopefully take with them a long-range goal of pursuing post-secondary
education after high school. The participants, most of who are prospective
first-generation college students, live in a dorm and eat meals in the
dining hall. A course specifically designed for 'SCO exposes students
to educational techniques they will likely encounter in college such as
classroom and lab work, a library research project and small group discussions.
They can also partake of the college's social and recreational facilities,
in between evening sessions on topics such as making the most of high
school, getting ready for college, and how to handle peer pressure and
self-esteem issues.
ESP (Early Successful Planning) for Parents - Adults
A program to reach the parents of school-age children at the worksite
was created in 1994-1995 to provide employees with information on how
they can prepare for and encourage their children's post-secondary education
or training. Piloted at R.W. Beckett and at Ford Motor Company's Ohio
Assembly Plant, the program covers subjects such as future career options
and opportunities for today's youth, assessing young people' strengths,
helping children do better in school, identifying college and/or technical
training opportunities for employees children, helping students apply
for admission, and how to finance higher education. The course is appropriate
for all employees with school age children. If desired, follow-up courses
will be offered to address separately the needs of elementary, middle
school and high school students. The instructional units are designed
to be interactional, with a high level of participant involvement. Where
possible, spouses are invited to attend. A Saturday field trip to a college
campus is included as an optional element.
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