Scholarships, College Acceptances and More for Students at Black College Expo

Thousands of high school students from across San Diego County got a jumpstart on their future at the 7th annual San Diego Black College Expo where they connected with representatives from more than 30 historically Black colleges and universities, as well as University of California and California State University schools.

Students received scholarships and many students were accepted on the spot to one or more colleges at the Feb. 8 college fair. More than 3,000 people registered for the event, which included students, parents, and school staff.

“The expo is really an opportunity for a person at any level to know there are opportunities and resources and things that can happen for them,” said Theresa Price, founder and CEO of National College Resources Foundation (NCRF). 

Students from districts across San Diego County, including from the San Diego County Office of Education’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS), San Pasqual Academy (SPA), and Monarch School, attended the in-person event.

Julieta, a Monarch School senior, said she likes the expo because it offers resources in one place as well as the ability to access scholarships and be accepted on the spot. She was one of several Monarch students to receive a $500 scholarship. 

Abdul, a student at San Pasqual Academy, also received a scholarship.

“College is important because I want to be successful in life and college is the best way to do that,” he said. “I’m really grateful for the scholarship.” 

The free event is organized each year by NCRF in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education to bring opportunities for students in the region.

“We’re growing every year and will continue to grow because this is an opportunity. This is what our children deserve,” said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “Education is so important because the higher you go, the more opportunity you have, the more earning power you have, the more social mobility you have in a system that wasn’t designed for everyone. We’ve got to make sure that our children have everything they need and deserve to fulfill their dreams.”

Multiple seminars were offered on topics, including how to find money for college, information for student athletes, how to become a change agent in your community, and why attend a historically black college and university.

“We are incredibly grateful to the entire San Diego County Office of Education team for their long-term partnership and deep commitment to underserved students. As a committed partner of ours for over seven years, they truly are a force for good in our shared mission to change students’ lives,” Price said.

The Black College Expo, now in its 25th year, was developed to empower underrepresented students and help them with access to higher education. NCRF has helped over 500,000 students get into college, and helped students connect with over $1 billion in scholarships and grants.