Advancing Students Forward

70 students in middle school through the university are in the Scholarship and Student Support Program. Students are accepted into the program as they enter middle school. Students and their families are interviewed and a home study is conducted. They are selected on the basis of financial need and hardship. They must demonstrate good grades, a strong desire to continue their education with a willingness to participate and fulfill program requirements. It is the expectation that the student will continue in the program for the next 10 years until they complete their university studies or achieve a technical certificate after high school. The majority of students who enter the program do achieve this goal and stay in the program until their graduation. Students receive a monthly stipend to help with tuition, transportation, school supplies. Students are required to attend monthly meetings. At monthly meetings the students are offered mentoring and educational support from peers and experts who present workshops on pertinent topics such as career selection, bullying, internet safety, goal setting. Community and team building activities are a part of each meeting. Students attend enrichment trips to local cultural events and places of interest. Parent education meetings are also provided to strengthen communication between parent and child and offer guidance so that they can better participate in their child's education. Students are required to provide receipts and account for expenses. Students must turn in verification of school enrollment and grades on a regular basis. Service hours are also required. Hours are donated to the Community Center. They provide upkeep and maintenance to the facility and tutor students in the community. Some ASF students provide summer camp to 100 elementary school children. Those with visas participate in educational events in the United States. such as the International Friendship Games, UCSD Science Camp.