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DHS College Prep: Previous Events

Event program with graduation cap image on cover
Room of attendees listening to speaker
DSS Commissioner Steven Banks posing with event attendees

DateTimeDescriptionVenueDetails

November 2015

 DHS College Prep Launch We announced our new College Prep Project. The goal is to motivate and support high school seniors as they prepare to graduate high school and apply to postsecondary schools. Students received a Congratulations Letter, College Planning Checklist and learned about our webpage!
November 23, 2015 5 pm – 7 pm CUNY Information Session CUNY Welcome Center at 205 East 42nd Street, New York, NY The Workshop covered:
  • 2- and 4-year colleges
  • Colleges that specialize in preparing students for the workforce
  • Macaulay Honors Program
  • Student life, including housing, study abroad, career development, and clubs
  • Tuition, loans, and financial aid options
  • How to transfer between schools
  • The importance of deadlines
Students were able to ask questions and were given prizes for participating, including backpacks, T-shirts, water bottles, and iPhone chargers. Students were also connected with an admissions counselor and offered ongoing support with their CUNY applications.
December 18, 2015 5 pm – 7 pm Writing Workshop Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY This workshop was designed to assist and guide students with the process of writing college application essays.

Materials and layout:
  • Ice breakers with prizes
  • An interactive Common App Prompt brainstorming activity designed to take the pressure off of the writing process
The presentation covered:
  • The do's and don'ts for the college application essay writing process. We also shared writing samples of successful college application essays.
  • The most common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them
  • Available free online resources
February 5, 2016 5 pm – 8 pm FAFSA Workshop Mid-Manhattan Library, 4th Floor PC Lab, 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY Families had the opportunity to complete their FAFSA applications with the help of financial aid experts. FAFSA enables students to receive federal aid for postsecondary schooling; students who submit their FAFSA applications as early as possible have the highest chance of receiving generous financial aid packages.

The presentation covered:
  • How to create a FAFSA FSA ID
  • How financial aid is determined
  • A step-by-step guided explanation of the questions on the FAFSA
Program of Events:
  • 5:45 pm: Q and A
  • 5:50 pm: Students without a FSA ID began the registration process
  • 5:55 – 8 pm: FAFSA-trained volunteers worked with families to submit FAFSA and TAP applications
  • 7:20 – 8 pm: The individuals that attended received a College Trip Survival Kit care package.
March 25, 2016 5 pm – 7 pm Financial Empowerment Workshop DHS Headquarters, 33 Beaver Street, New York, NY Workshop will incorporate information about loans, grants, scholarships, as well as the perils of attending for-profit colleges. Other topics that will be covered include internship and work opportunities before and during college.
April 29, 2016 College Readiness and Scholarship Informational Session Attend our college readiness and scholarship informational session. Learn about scholarships, tools for budgeting, time management, and other available resources for students.
October 18, 2017 2 pm – 3 pm College Readiness/Kickoff Workshop What does it mean to be college ready? Come to our first event of the year, where we'll discuss what you can do now to make your application stronger.
October 22, 2017 11 am – 3 pm Big Apple College Fair In one afternoon, discover hundreds of the college options that are available to you.
November 14, 2017 4:30 pm – 7 pm Essay Writing Workshop College admissions essays can be daunting part of the application process. A team of mentors will be here to help you through them.
November 28, 2017 4:30 pm – 7 pm FAFSA/Essay Writing II Workshop Let us help demystify financial aid. Arrive with questions, leave with a completed application for federal aid.
December 2, 2017 11 am – 2 pm Tour of Columbia University Join us as we tour the beautiful campus of one of the most renowned universities in the country. Our tour will be facilitated by Bridge2Brilliance, a student group committed to making Columbia more accessible to students from low-income families.
January 24, 2018 4 pm – 6 pm Garden of Dreams Scholarship Info Session and CPP's After the Application Learn more about the Garden of Dreams Scholarship