2022 OSSE College Starter Kit for College Bound Students Experiencing Homelessness

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE’s) Homeless Education Program is offering an opportunity for graduating high school students, who are experiencing homelessness to receive a College Starter Kit. The kit will include items such as a laptop, school supplies, and other essential items to prepare a student for success in the first year of college this fall.

To qualify for this opportunity, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Students must have experienced homelessness during the 2021-22 school year.

2. Students must have been identified as experiencing homelessness by the LEA or school-based homeless liaison, Comprehensive Homeless Student Data application, or by an advocate or caseworker during the 2021-22 school year.

3. Students must show proof of acceptance into a college or university for the 2022 summer/fall semester.

Before you complete the application, please have the following documents ready to submit:

1. A completed application.

2. An essay consisting of 1,000 – 1,500 words about the impact of experiencing homelessness on the student’s life and his/her/their desire to attend college;

3. A minimum of one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or another adult who can speak to the applicant’s educational qualifications (e.g., Advanced Placement classes, honor roll selection, academic improvement, standardized tests, academic certificates, or awards) and life experiences; and

4. Proof of acceptance into a college or university (e.g., acceptance letter, class schedule, or housing confirmation letter).

All submissions must be completed by Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Please note that this opportunity is available to recipients while supplies last.

Recipients will be notified no later than July 2021 using phone, email, or other information provided by the student, legal guardian, or school liaison.

Students selected to receive a College Starter Kit will be informed via email in the selection notification. College Starter Kits will be distributed to recipients no later than August 2022.

For more information or questions, please contact Tasheen Stallings, Homeless Education Program Analyst, at Tasheen.Stallings@dc.gov or (202) 478-5927.

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1. Students must submit proof of acceptance into a college or university (e.g., acceptance letter, class schedule or housing confirmation letter).

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2. Students must submit a minimum of one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or other adult who can speak to the applicant’s educational qualifications and life experience.

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3. Students must write and submit an essay about the impact of experiencing homelessness on the student's life and their desire to attend college (up to 1,500 words). Each essay will be evaluated on the following:

·       Demonstrated commitment to education during the experience of homelessness;

·       Academic achievement and accomplishments;

·       Potential impact of the scholarship on the student’s educational career;

·       Statement of goals and career interests; and

·       Grammar and use of language.

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4. Please provide the student's information.

First and Last Name

High School/Community Organization

Most Stable Mailing Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number

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5. Gender Pronoun Preference

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6. Please provide student's Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

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7. Enter the name of the college/university the student will be attending in summer/fall 2021. Please include city and state of the institution.

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8. Have you applied for DC TAG? If yes, did you receive your award letter?

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9. Please provide your social media profiles (if you have an active account)

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

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10. Please provide the student's parent or guardian information.

First and Last Name

Relationship to the student

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number

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11. Please provide an additional name, title, and organization of a contact person with whom we can communicate regarding the student’s application. An appropriate contact person would be someone who is in regular communication with the applicant and is able to reach them (e.g., school counselor, teacher, social worker, coach, case manager, or shelter director).

First and Last Name

High School/Community Organization

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number

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12. Student Consent for follow up:

During the 2022-23 academic year, OSSE would like to check in with the recipients for no more than 30 minutes to discuss their transition and progress during the following months (dates and time TBD):

Fall Semester - October 2022
Spring Semester - April 2023

An email reminder and calendar invite will be sent to recipients one week prior to the scheduled date to participate via Microsoft Teams or Go to Webinar.

Student first and last name

Student personal email

College Email Address

Student Cell Phone Number