College & Career Center Newsletter
February 2026
Wondering How To Make College a Bit Less Expensive?
Applying for scholarships is highly beneficial because they offer free money for education that does not have to be repaid, directly reducing the need for student loans and minimizing debt. The following items will help you be better prepared for your applications.
- Activities Chart/Resume
- Letters of Recommendation (from teachers, pastor, employer, coach, etc.)
- FAFSA Submission Summary
- Photos, Certificates, Proof of Involvement
- Gather these items now and you'll be prepared later!
*Seniors, please don't forget to report ANY scholarships offered to you to the College & Career Center. You can forward an email, tell us in person, make a copy of an award letter...whichever method you prefer. Please tell us about ALL scholarships offered to you, not just the ones you accept.
Tia Molony
Seniors, Do You Still Need To Complete Your FAFSA? Oregon Promise?
NOW is the time to get your Oregon Promise application and your FAFSA or ORSAA done. No matter what your plans are for life after Barlow, do these steps just in case. Keep your options open!
Go here for the steps.
What do you need to apply? https://oregongoestocollege.org/pay/financial-aid
Financial Aid Cost Comparison Tool
To protect student privacy, everyone needs to download their own copy from this link:
STARS Virtual Panel: Mock Application Review & Case Studies, STARS College Network
Students of all grade levels are welcome to join admissions experts on Zoom from Alabama, Caltech, Duke, and Vanderbilt for a behind-the-scenes look at how college applications are reviewed and tips for navigating the process.
February 3, 5:00PM - 6:00PM
Upcoming College Visit
Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities
Renaissance Scholarship (seniors) due Feb 1, & May 1
PCC Foundation Scholarship (seniors) due Feb. 1
Al Forthan Scholarship (seniors) due Feb. 2
McDonalds Hacer Scholarship (Hispanic heritage/senior) due Feb 17
Bruin Pride Scholarship (seniors) due Feb. 6
ACPE Technology Careers Scholarship (seniors) due Feb. 9
Daniel Paul Memorial Scholarship (senior athletes)-due Feb 20
Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship (senior)-due Feb22
Herman Colas Jr Legacy Scholarship (seniors)-due Feb 22
PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship (seniors)-due Feb 22
Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship-(seniors, Asian/Pacific Islanders) due March 15
Ford Family Foundation Scholarship (seniors)-due March 2
PCC Future Connect-(seniors) due March 1
OSAC Scholarship (seniors)-due March 2 (Feb 17-Early bird deadline)
PNACAC Scholarships (seniors)-due March 15
MHCC Scholarship (seniors) due March 31
Dale Krueger Scholarship (seniors) due April 1
Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship (senior-dependent child of a coast guard member) due April 1
Gresham Rotary MHCC Scholarship-(seniors) due April 9
Diversity in Leadership in Oregon Scholarship (seniors) due March 2
Horatio Alger Scholarship Juniors due March 1, Seniors due Feb 15
Other Horatio Alger Scholarships (trades, target major or state scholarships) due June 15
OSEA Guy Davis Scholarship (seniors) due March 1 Must have a parent in OSEA union
Comprehensive Scholarship List
https://jlvcollegecounseling.com/scholarships/ this list breaks scholarships out by date/major/age etc.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships
Community College Scholarships
Heading to a local community college next year? Make sure you check their scholarship options and deadlines. Most of them have money available...don't miss out.
PCC Foundation Scholarships - Due Feb 1
MHCC General Scholarships - Due March 31
PCC Future Connect Scholarship - Due March 1
Clackamas Community College - Due April 15
Scholarship 101 Webinars - Seniors
Next Step Webinars
Students can join a zoom meeting with The College Place and get info/help with OSAC, Ford scholarships and more. If you miss the live meeting, you can watch the playback at a later date. Unfortunately, students cannot access zoom on their school-issued chromebooks so they will need to use their phone or other personal device.
Wednesdays, 6:00–6:30 PM PT
https://ecmc.zoom.us/j/5033181521
Videos posted the next afternoon if students can’t join live.
https://sites.google.com/view/next-stop-wednesdays/home
Here’s the lineup:
- Feb 4: Personal Statements for OSAC & Ford
- Feb 11: Activities Charts for OSAC & Ford
- Feb 18 & 25: Drop-In Help – Personal Statements & Activities Chart
Daniel Paul Memorial Scholarship
The Daniel Paul Memorial Scholarship will award an annual scholarship to a Barlow High School student-athlete who will be attending college upon graduation. The scholarship is funded upon successfully graduating, is paid directly to the student’s college of choice and is a one-time only scholarship. The scholarship is funded at $5,000. Click on image for link to scholarship.
DUE DATE: Feb 20
For: Seniors
Applicants must meet the following requirements and provide the listed materials:
- Graduate from Barlow High School and college-bound
- 3.4 GPA or higher
- Have participated in sports and athletics throughout their high school career
- Be able to demonstrate active participation in student life and/or the community while in high school
- Embody many of the traits and attributes of Daniel Paul, including but not limited to leadership, athleticism, inquisitiveness, inclusivity, relentlessness, kind, generous, adventurous, compassionate…
The Ford Family Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 2, 2026
For Oregon residents with financial need and strong leadership potential.
Across its major programs, the Foundation provides comprehensive support that includes:
- Financial Award: A renewable award of up to $40,000 per year, depending on the specific program and the student's calculated financial need.
- Holistic Support: Recipients receive more than just funding; they gain access to academic guidance, leadership development, personal and professional support, and a lifelong alumni network.
- Flexible Coverage: Funds can typically be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses
Details: https://www.tfff.org/scholarships
Dale Krueger Scholarship
Seniors: Learn more about the scholarship.
Due April 1
Remember, the Krueger Scholarship has TWO parts. One is the online application that goes to US Bank and the second part is an optional 10 page exhibit document emailed to: molony5@gresham.k12.or.us. Do NOT just share the exhibit pages from your drive. They must be emailed. See the instruction manual.
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Presentation - February 9th
Learn about NROTC and discover if it may be a pathway for you.
PWA Veterinarian & Animal Welfare Career Day - February 17th
Discover what working in animal welfare could be like for you! You will connect with professionals, tour the shelter, meet animals, ask questions and discover a variety of career fields in animal welfare.
You must complete a student interest form AND a parent/guardian permission form
East County Youth Summit - February 20th
A day of career exploration at Mt. Hood Community College. There will be a career fair, networking with local employers, counseling, lectures, and hands-on activities. Email collins53@gresham.k12.or.us if you would like to attend.
Portland E-Week - February 24th
This event was created for Sophomores and Juniors considering a career in engineering. There will be an exhibit hall, career fair, banquet lunch with a keynote speaker, and a field trip to a local engineering employer.
The registration link is here: https://www.oregonengineersweek.org/attendees
And access code for students and teacher is: EngineeringCareer
The College Tour
Explore Every College in the USA
If you are in the midst of your college search journey, we can help you! Find out information about every college, including the 2,500 four year Universities and Colleges and 900 Community Colleges that span across all 50 states.
Check out the “featured” Colleges Tours to get a more in-depth video-based experience. Click on the image to find out more!