Hello!

DRDFS is very busy this week--hosting virtual SAT Prep with juniors in the Next Level Scholars program and meeting with some of you for some video footage in each of our partner high schools!

Next up for the Class of 2022 is the Leadership and Networking Workshop on 3/2/2022 in advance of The Celebration Luncheon (on 3/16). Keep reading to learn more about dress code requirements and be sure to reach out if you need help obtaining items to meet the dress code!

Lastly, don't forget to submit your FAFSA SAR to DRDFS as soon as possible and be sure to schedule your 1:1 with Coach Devon.

As always, please feel welcome to reach out with questions/concerns.
Marissa D'Angelo
Next Level Scholars Program Manager
Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars
mdangelo@drdfs.org
(734) 354-7274
NEWSLETTER CONTENTS:
  • COMING SOON: Leadership & Networking Workshop with Jacqueline M. Baker on 3/2/2022 at Oakland University
  • Up Next: Celebration Luncheon at UDM on 3/16/2022
  • Black History Month Spotlight: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Resources
  • ICYMI: Coach D's One-on-One Challenge!
  • REMINDER: DRDFS FAFSA Tracker & SAR Submission
  • Scholarship Spotlight: College Greenlight's Scholarship Application Marathon
  • Resource Spotlight: Tutor.com's Student Success Webinar Series - Critical Thinking and Research Skills
  • Featured Resources
COMING SOON: LEADERSHIP & NETWORKING WORKSHOP ON 3/2
The Leadership & Networking Workshop is rescheduled for March 2 at Oakland University. For this event, students will be required to wear their DRDFS dress shirt, black dress pants, and black shoes. (We'll also be taking official photographs and headshots as a heads up to be prepared!) If your DRDFS dress shirt does not fit you or you do not have the required attire, PLEASE reach out and we will help purchase the items you need.

Your adviser will share bus times in the next week with you!
UP NEXT: CELEBRATION LUNCHEON AT UDM ON 3/16/2022
On March 16, 2022, seniors from the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars program will participate in a leadership etiquette refresher session with Jacqueline Baker. Following the refresher course, students will attend the 9th Annual Celebration Luncheon at the University of Detroit Mercy! This is a day to celebrate your hard work with the network of Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars! Stay tuned for more details over the next few weeks!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) RESOURCES
There are 104 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States according to the US Department of Education. They were created prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide higher educational opportunities for black male and female students who were historically and legally excluded from attending all-white and predominantly male institutions. HBCU's include both private and public institutions with a rich history of providing high quality postsecondary credentials to black Americans and others committed to equity.

If you or a student you know is interested in attending an HBCU, these resources are helpful to start the process:

Learn more and apply:
Scholarships:
HBCU Tours:
Additional Video Resources -- Learn more about HBCUs and their history:
ICYMI: COACH D'S ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE!
Hey Next Level Scholars!

Coach D’s “One on One Challenge” is officially ON! You and your school’s fellow DRDFS seniors need to work together to make sure you ALL win! Your school’s seniors will compete against the other DRDFS seniors to get both your Student Aid Report (SAR) submitted AND schedule a one-on-one appointment with me to talk about concerns in this process and your next steps! Each senior must complete BOTH parts of the challenge to be counted. If you’ve already submitted your SAR, you’re halfway there! Encourage your friends in the program to get their part completed as soon as possible! Teamwork makes the dream work! And the dream is PIZZA! The top 3 schools to complete the challenge, win a pizza party! The deadline for the challenge is Friday, March 11th and the winning high schools will be announced at the Celebration Luncheon on March 16th! Let me know if you have questions or need help getting any of these action items done. Get to work!

-Coach Devon
Click here to schedule your virtual one-on-one appointment as soon as possible.
REMINDER: DRDFS FAFSA TRACKER & SAR SUBMISSION
Be sure to get your SAR Submission in ASAP to avoid losing your DRDFS Scholarship!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin at etalbot@drdfs.org or Devon at dhall@drdfs.org!

If you’re unsure of how to find your FAFSA SAR, take a peek at the links below:
  • Click here for more help on how to find your FAFSA SAR.
  • Click here for a video on how to save your SAR as a PDF.
  • Click here for a sample of what your SAR will look like, as well as additional information about your FAFSA.
SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT: COLLEGE GREENLIGHT'S SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION MARATHON
Every February, students submit confirmation(s) of completed admissions or scholarship applications to enter a raffle for hourly gift card giveaways or the grand prize, a $1,000 tuition scholarship from College Greenlight!

Complete the following form to qualify for hourly raffle awards. (NOTE: Form is not accessible until 2/19 beginning at 9:00 AM) To be eligible for these raffles, please upload evidence of the following:

  • Scholarship Applications and Materials: A photo of the confirmation page or email from the scholarship provider acknowledging your submitted application OR, submit any piece of your application (i.e. essays, resume, etc.)
  • College Campus Visit: A photo of yourself on a college campus with the college name or mascot displayed, virtual or in-person!
  • College Fair Participation: A photo of yourself on a college fair with the fair location displayed, virtual or in-person!
  • College Application Confirmation: A screenshot of the confirmation page or email from the college/university acknowledging your submitted application.
  • College List on Cappex: A screenshot of a least 6 schools on your college list on your Cappex account.

** Please Note: You must fill out a new form for every unique entry. Raffle winners will be announced hourly on 2/19/22 on Twitter @CGreenlight. Do not include any confidential information like Social Security numbers in your uploaded submissions.**
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: STUDENT SUCCESS WEBINAR SERIES - CRITICAL THINKING AND RESEARCH SKILLS
(Can't attend live? Register anyway and you'll be emailed a link to the final recorded webinar.)
Want to become a more independent thinker? Join tutor.com for this free webinar to learn about the characteristics of true critical thinkers and how to sharpen your research skills.

In this session, you'll discover how to: 
  • Critically analyze sources  
  • Evaluate evidence to support your claims  
  • Identify assumptions and biases  
  • Understand what plagiarism looks like 

Tutor.com's Senior Director of Learning Strategies and Professional Development, Dr. Amy Dietzman, will be hosting this session. There will be a Q&A after the presentation, so stick around at the end! 
FEATURED RESOUCES:




  • If you or your family are in need of any resources, please reach out to us at any time or explore this list of COVID-19 Resources