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Resources

Mentors will help connect you to support and services on your campus and/or in the community.

Academic (vary by campus)

  • Faculty and staff advising.

  • Tutoring services.

  • Learning aids or accommodations that you may be eligible for such as note-taking services, more time on tests, or quiet testing space.

  • Programs that you might qualify for such as TRIO or Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA).

Apprenticeships

All About Apprenticeships. From WCAN. Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

Associations

Costs $15 to join: NSBE | Supporting Black Engineers and Scientists 

Phi Theta Kappa (frequently referred to as PTK) is the official Seattle College's Honor Society, recognizing academic success. For students with a 3.5 GPA and higher, no cost to join.

Career & Strength Finder

Clifton Strengths Finders and Myers Briggs is a great resource. The free version used at Seattle Central is https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test. There is a version that costs $20 per assessment, but, according to MESA’s Director Marilyn Saavedra-Leyva, “it's the best career & personality assessment. Instead of focusing on our deficits, it provides students with their top five skills and then gives them a book for how to use those five skills to talk about themselves, do career exploration, write a resume, etc. It's never disappointing and eerily accurate without limiting their career options like many of the deficit focused assessments out there.”. 

Seattle Central’s Career Exploration Center also suggestions the following resources: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/career-exploration-center/explore-your-career-options.

For careers, Seattle Colleges offers a College to Careers Pathway site that links to different programs available at the college. 

Washington STEM offers a cool tool called the Labor Market and Credential Data Dashboard that gives current info on the labor market in Washington state. I use it with students to show them what credential they need to reach their career goals, projected number of jobs that will be available, and the expected salary. These aren't career assessments, but I found them to be useful mentoring tools. 

The College and Career Compass Washington is a great resource/tool for help finding your path or educational program that matches your goals and objective.

Career Bridge Washington Washington’s one-stop source for career and education planning.

Child Care

Goodwin Connections, a Seattle community organization that makes child care and pre-school more affordable for students who are attending college.

Child Care Resources (CCR) runs a statewide referral service that helps families find and pay for child care.

Bright Spark, serving both King and Pierce counties, offers over a dozen unique programs supporting children, families, and providers in almost every aspect of the early learning experience.

Many college campuses operate child care programs for their students such as North Seattle College, South Seattle College or the University of Washington.

Conferences

Build your future with Google  To help break down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups in technology and business from attending leading conferences, Google provides Conference Scholarships for selected conferences in the tech industry and related fields.

Disabilities

Call 211 or check out https://search.wa211.org/ for information about assistive technology, early intervention, employment, financial support.

Domestic Violence or Abuse

For immediate help call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. For more information check out the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

RAINN is a national anti-sexual assault/violence organization and they have a hotline that can provide resources and support to survivors.

If you suspect that the abuse, abandonment, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult has occurred., you can make a report to Adult Protective Services (APS) even if you are not considered a mandatory reporter. More information can be found at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/adult-protective-services-mandatory-reporters

Call 211 or check out: https://search.wa211.org/.

Employment

WorkSource King County provides job listings, unemployment counseling, and career workshops. WorkSource has offices at many Seattle area college campuses.

Most campuses also operate their own career services for enrolled students. For example, Seattle Central’s Career Exploration Center will help you connect your academic path to internships and employment.

Washington Career Bridge  is a great way to explore careers, job opportunities and find education programs linked to employment.

Job Launch. The #1 job search tool for young people. Start searching for an entry-level position.

AmeriCorps Is a national service programs. You commit your time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more. Serve and earn an Education Award of up to $6,095/year.

SEO, a nonprofit organization that helps BIPOC students get internships. SEO Career offers internship opportunities across corporate America and Wall Street. From tech and finance to alternative investments, corporate services and more, our partners have the roles you want in over 40 cities. The options are endless!

Emergency Funds

Many campuses are offering emergency funds under CARES and HEERF. Applications vary by campus. For example, check out North Seattle College. The definition of “emergency” is broad and is generally is anything that causes a student to interrupt their course of study. When in doubt, apply or consult with a campus financial aid advisor.

Call 211 or check out https://search.wa211.org/ for information about financial assistance with rent, move-in and utilities.

Financial

The United Way Benefits Hub assists students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the main application used to determine your eligibility for most types of financial aid. The Benefits Hub also helps with groceries, utilities, reduced bus fare, tax preparation, housing supports, legal referrals, financial coaching and emergency aid.

To help pay for college theWashBoard.org links students with scholarship opportunities or grants (money that does not have to be paid back). Most all grant applications require the student to complete the FAFSA. An example of a grant is Washington Women in Need (WINN), an academic scholarship program for women.

Many campuses provide emergency funds for enrolled students like at South Seattle College

Call 211 or check out: https://search.wa211.org/.

List of scholarships from Palmer Scholars.

Food

Most college campuses operate food pantries to help enrolled students such as Seattle Central, North Seattle, South Seattle and the University of Washington.

If you are not enrolled, the Seattle Food Committee has a directory of 29 food banks where you can receive free groceries.

Call 211 or look at: https://search.wa211.org/.

General

Washington 211 - Referral to resources statewide.

Health & Well-Being

Crisis Connections operates the 24 hr. Warm Line for emotional support. If you are considering suicide call the crisis line at 1-866-427-4747. Review what you can do to help prevent a suicide.

Many campuses do offer mental health counseling services and fitness centers. Some offer low cost health insurance. More information for health care is available at: Public Health - Seattle & King County.

If you are seeking health insurance, check out: https://www.medicaid.gov/ or If you reside in WA and don’t have health insurance, you will need to seek coverage through Washington Health Plan Finder, Washington state’s health insurance marketplace. It is also known as “the exchange.”. Living in another US state or territory? Use healthcare.gov to find your marketplace and apply for insurance. Other options may include Community Health Centers: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/community-health-centers.aspx

Psychology Today offers connection to community-based therapists who will often provide a 30-minute free consultation.

Homelessness

Mary's Place is a nonprofit in Seattle that provides safe and inclusive housing for women, children, and their families who are experiencing homelessness.

Call 211 or check out: https://wa211.org/

Housing

The YWCA Seattle/King/Snohomish provides emergency, transitional and permanent housing support to low-income women and families.

Solid Ground is a Seattle community organization that provides emergency housing support.

Call 211 or check out https://search.wa211.org/ for information about financial assistance with rent, move-in and utilities.

Inspiration

Black Men in White Coats: The Healing Power of Prayer In Medicine: Dr. Emmanuel McNeely, A series of podcasts featuring Dr. Emmanuel McNeely sharing his journey from being a class clown to becoming a surgeon. He recounts the craziest thing he’s seen as a surgeon and emphasizes the importance of exposure and seeing successful black people in positive roles.

Internships

SEO, a nonprofit organization that helps BIPOC students get internships. SEO Career offers internship opportunities across corporate America and Wall Street. From tech and finance to alternative investments, corporate services and more, our partners have the roles you want in over 40 cities. The options are endless!

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) - Healthcare Equity (uwmedicine.org)

Mental Health

Crisis Connections operates the 24 hr. Warm Line for emotional support. If you are considering suicide call the crisis line at 1-866-427-4747. Review what you can do to help prevent a suicide.

Many campuses do offer mental health counseling services and fitness centers. Some offer low cost health insurance. More information for health care is available at: Public Health - Seattle & King County.

If you are seeking health insurance, check out: https://www.medicaid.gov/ or If you reside in WA and don’t have health insurance, you will need to seek coverage through Washington Health Plan Finder, Washington state’s health insurance marketplace. It is also known as “the exchange.”. Living in another US state or territory? Use healthcare.gov to find your marketplace and apply for insurance. Other options may include Community Health Centers: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/locations/community-health-centers.aspx

Psychology Today offers connection to community-based therapists who will often provide a 30-minute free consultation.

For more information, check out https://www.onlineu.com/resources/college-mental-health-guide.

Transportation

Call 211 or check out: https://search.wa211.org/.

Undocumented Students/DREAMers

Under Washington state's REAL Hope Act, you may be eligible for state financial aid. Just complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to find out if you qualify for:

  • Washington College Grant

  • College Bound Scholarship

  • State Work Study