College and Career Success Program – How to Apply
Important dates
Application part 1
- Written application open January 13 - February 13, 2025
Required materials
- Written responses, high school transcript, and resume (template provided)
Application part 2
- Video application open February 17 - February 28, 2025
Required materials
- Interview responses, recommender form, FAFSA submission summary
Application review period
- March 1 - March 30, 2025
Scholarship winners notified
- Friday, April 4, 2025
Your point of contact
Making Waves College and Career Success Program
The Making Waves college and career success program provides scholarships, college and career coaching, and financial planning support. We seek students who demonstrate characteristics like self-awareness, interdependence, passion, and perseverance. Unlike many scholarships that are academic-based or specialized, Making Waves welcomes students from across academic majors and maintains a 2.0 GPA minimum. Our holistic application and selection process seeks submissions through which students can showcase their strengths, passions, and priorities.
1:1 college coaching
Our college coaching is all about you. We’re here to help you navigate college life, from picking the right major and planning your path to graduation to forming meaningful connections.
Scholarships and financial planning
With Making Waves, you’re in control of your college finances, with financial aid and budgeting support from our team. Earn $2,000 (community college) or $4,000–$6,000 (four-year college) in annual scholarships that go directly to you to spend when you need it.
Career skills and support
Dreaming of a future career but unsure where to start? Partner with our career team to explore career paths, pursue internships, expand your network, and find a job that matches your degree.
How your application is scored
Academic motivation (30%)
- Show us how your high school experience developed your academic resilience and commitment to handling college-level work. We’ll also take a look at your high school GPA and transcript.
Financial need (30%)
- Finances shouldn’t be a barrier for going to college. We use your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA to prioritize students with greater financial need.
College commitment (20%)
- Tell us your college “why.” Share about how college supports your life goals and how you tackle life’s challenges.
Program fit (20%)
- Help us understand how our program’s coaching, financial support, and career prep will make a difference in your journey.
How to prepare
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum 2.0 high school GPA
- Student has applied(s) to 2-year and/or 4-year colleges for the upcoming academic year
- On track to earn high school diploma from Making Waves Academy (Graduation verified post-program selection)
- College admittance (verified post-program selection)
- Completion of the FAFSA
Academic motivation materials and prep
- Step 1: Download a screenshot of your full high school transcript (if you need support, ask the College and Career Center, or CCC)
- Step 2: Complete this free personality test survey
- Step 3: Complete this reflection activity
Financial need materials and prep
- Step 1: Complete your financial aid or FAFSA application before February 28, 2025 with Mr. Miguel Mendoza
- Step 2: Complete the FAFSA Submission Summary, or FSS, through the Wave-Maker Portal before February 28, 2025
College commitment materials and prep
- High school and college can be both rewarding and challenging. Use the next activities to reflect on your accomplishments, your resilience, and your future goals.
- Step 1: Complete this bucket list activity
Program commitment materials and prep
- Step 1: Ask two adults (teachers, coaches, or non-family members if they would be open to completing a recommendation on your behalf. Here is an email template to use when emailing your recommenders.
- Step 2: Obtain their contact information for the application.
- Step 3: Ask Coach Ashley for support or just introduce yourself. She is your main point of contact for the scholarship. She is available over Zoom, text, or call. Schedule a meeting here or call/text here: 510-507-2688
- Step 4: Resumes are required. Make a copy here through Google Docs and add your information. Resumes are not graded, but are required!
How to manage your time
- Jan. 6- Feb. 28: Complete FASFA with Mr. Mendoza.
- Jan. 9- Jan. 12: Complete the scholarship support guide activities above.
- Jan. 13- Jan. 17: Complete the resume template and ask your recommenders for their information.
- Jan. 18- Jan. 24: Complete your first draft of your application via Google Docs. Meet with Ashley or email/text her for feedback.
- Jan. 25- Jan. 31: Complete your second draft of your application and download your transcript.
- Jan. 31- Feb. 7: Complete your scholarship application and submit it.
- Feb. 7- Feb. 13: Confirm completion of Part 1 of the application by emailing/texting Ashley.
- Feb. 17- Feb. 28: Complete Part 2 of the application. The one-way interview and the recommendations need to be submitted by Feb. 28.
Submit your application
Financial aid support for Making Waves Academy
Making Waves Education Foundation provides one-on-one support for Making Waves Academy students and families – from understanding financial aid, submitting FAFSA and Dream Act forms, and weighing admissions offers and financial aid and scholarship packages.
Here are the steps you need to take this January or February before the FAFSA deadline March 3, 2025.
1. Sign up for a meeting with Mr. Miguel Mendoza
Mr. Miguel Mendoza, financial services manager and program specialist at Making Waves Education Foundation, will walk you through the financial aid forms and setting up an FSA ID.
Mr. Mendoza is on campus (in the college and career center) the following days and times in January and February:
- Monday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Tuesday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wednesday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Thursday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sign up for a meeting
Señor Mendoza habla Español y Inglés.
Once you have completed your meeting with Mr. Mendoza, he will verify that this program requirement and task has been completed and will close it.
2. Get your materials ready
Here is what to bring to the meeting.
Wave-Makers:
- Copy or picture of social security card
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Personal email address
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Date of birth
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If you filed taxes, please bring 2023 federal tax returns
Parents:
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Copy or picture of social security card/s of both parents (if parents are married/live together). If parent/s does not have a social security card, please bring picture of front of State ID/Driver License or consular identification
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Personal email address for both parents (if parents are married/live together)
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Date of birth for both parents (if parents are married/live together)
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Month and year one parent moved to California
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If your parents filed taxes together, please bring the 2023 federal tax returns. If parents are married/living together, but filed separately, please bring both 2023 federal tax returns
