Welcome to the Resources page
Here, you will find resources available for students, mentors, and the community.
If you do not see what you are looking for, please contact us.
For Students
Learn more about being a student in the Pathways to College program.
Apply to be a part of the Pathways to College program. Applications open each March.
Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) federal money for your college education. Every student is required to fill out the FAFSA along with their parent. The FAFSA also helps students qualify for Federal Work-Study and other programs.
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in New York State. An annual TAP award can be up to $5,665. Because TAP is a grant, it does not have to be paid back. TAP is also available for students attending a SUNY, CUNY and not-for-profit independent degree-granting college on a part-time basis. To be eligible for Part-time TAP you must have been a first-time freshman in the 2006-07 academic year or thereafter, have earned 12 credits or more in each of two consecutive semesters, and maintain a “C” average.
518 ElevatED has prepared a glossary of terms associated with the Financial Aid Process. Several topics have links to further information when applicable. The College Package Definition Sheet can be found here.
Guide to College Scholarships and Financial Aid for Black Students
Scholarships
Senior Care Aging Matters Scholarship – A $1500 scholarship for a college student that currently cares for an aging loved one, works within the senior community, or intends to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population. Scholarship deadline is May 15, 2014.
The Schenectady Foundation will open applications for the Schenectady STEM Scholarship, on January 27, 2023 and is awarded to a graduating senior from Schenectady City School District who intends to pursue a career in the STEM fields. Applications can be found here.
The Voyager Scholarship – shaping the next generation of public service leaders
College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students
UNCF has scholarships, programs, internships and fellowships.
New York’s Excelsior Scholarship Program
Study.com Scholarship Hub
RaiseMe – Earn micro‑scholarships from colleges for your achievements as early as 9th grade
Guide to Scholarships by Major
Get Schooled Scholarships for College
Scholarships and Resources for Black Students
Scholly – college scholarship app
Make Great Things Happen Foundation Scholarship – Awarded to a matriculated, full-time student enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Technology program at Hudson Valley Community College. Preference will be given to students with a cumulative GPA between 2.75 and 3.25. Deadline for applications for 2024 not yet available. For updated information, follow grant here.
National Grid Electric Operations Scholarship at Hudson Valley Community College – National Grid’s Electric Operations team is sponsoring a scholarship program with HVCC. I’ve included the link below and was wondering if you could share it with your High School contacts to see if we can generate interest and applications. This scholarship would support several candidates with full scholarships if they fit the criteria and meet the qualifications. For eligibility and application requirements, please follow this link.
Study Skills
AP Exam Study Skills: Khan Academy has guides and tutorial videos for every AP exam. The service is free, but an account is required.
Quizlet has flashcards, randomized tests, and study games to help you prepare for your exam. You can even use the service to create your own study tools accessible on your phone or computer. This also requires an account, but the service is free.
SAT Practice: Khan Academy
The College Student’s Guide to Stress Management. This infographic will help show you the impacts of stress and some good options to reduce your stress while in College.
Time Management is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. It involves of various demands upon a person relating to work, social life, family, hobbies, personal interests, and commitments with the finite nature of time. Using time effectively gives the person “choice” on spending or managing activities at their own time and expediency. Visit this resource for some time management ideas 11 Effective Time Management Tips.
The Archives Partnership Trust preserves and makes accessible archives from the 350 year history of New York State. New York has served as a leader in confronting social, economic and political issues of broad national importance. The New York State Archives, which can be found here holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives are available free, on line, for all students and educators to utilize.
The College Search
Hope4College – resources and support for students already in college.
Real Talk – a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges across the country. Virtual events are designed to feel authentic, engaging and, most of all, real, while providing all the information needed to plan, pay for, and attend college.
Resources for LGBTQ+ Students – to make college a little easier, this ultimate guide of resources for LGBTQ+ students in higher education includes scholarships, resources, clubs, anti-bullying hotlines and more.
Laptops in College – includes resources for free or reduced price laptops in college.
Niche – college and scholarship search tools
Interactive Virtual Campus Tours
Career Search – using the Occupational Handbook you can browse various career options including highest paying, fastest growing, etc.
CareerVillage is a community where students can get free personalized career advice from real-life professionals.
Young Worker’s Rights and Resources
Internships
Future Forward Internship Academy has an internship opportunity this summer to earn college credit and a stipend.
Regeneron Summer 2023 Paid Internships for students pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Information Systems.
FirstGEN Fellows – paid summer program for undergraduate students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college and who intend to pursue careers in social justice.
NIMBL eXperience – The NIIMBL eXperience is an exclusive in-person, all expenses paid immersion program that offers you real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals. The program targets African American/Black, Latinx, and Native American students completing their freshman or sophomore year of college. It is open to students enrolled in any STEM-based major living in the United States.
Commercial Banking Summer Internship with NBT Bank – An internship for students who are currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college. This position provides students the opportunity to exercise their skills and apply their knowledge in work situations that relate to their field of education and to learn about commercial banking. Apply here.
Career Exploration and College Choice
Career exploration is a necessary step for students to help expose them to different opportunities and working environments to find where a student can fit in and grow as an individual. Students are more likely to do well in careers they are interested in and those which they would have a natural inclination for. The following are some resources for students to explore opportunities.
My Next Move – This website offers many resources, one of which is an Interest Profiler, an interactive questionnaire to help students determine jobs and careers best connected to their likes and dislikes.
Time For Payback is a website which is designed to help students think about how to succeed in college without taking on too much college debt. Visit the website here.
My Future is a website which helps students discover their potential with college, a career or the military. Visit the website to see top career opportunities, colleges which can assist with those career goals as well as top military careers.
Life Skills
“The Complete Guide for High Achievers“ helps to show how students can navigate life as a high achiever and how to deal with mental health problems and find the optimal work-life balance.
Resume assistance – Would you like to write your resume and don’t know where to start? Follow these 10 steps for a Do It Yourself Resume.
For Mentors
Learn more about becoming a mentor.
Fill out a mentor application
Checklist for Mentors of High School Juniors
Checklist for Mentors of High School Senions
View the Financial Aid Workshop for Mentors
Self Discovery Activities to help students discover their passion
You’re a Mentor, Now What? – how to communicate effectively with your student
Futurescape is a free, immersive digital platform that helps more than seven million students explore real-world careers beyond the classroom.
For Our Community
MOre Information
Learn more about how you can be a part of the 518 ElevatED community.
Support for Families
Free online learning with Coursera.
Free tax preparation. Check here for more information, eligibility, and to find a local VITA site.
211 – call or text to find health or human service resources in your community
Healthy Capital District Initiative works to increase access to coverage, provides health planning expertise, and supports health prevention programs across the Capital Region.
Disaster Distress Helpline – if you or someone you know is struggling after a disaster call 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 for help and support 24/7.
Local Food Pantries – use this search tool to find a food pantry nearest you
Albany Community Action Partnership – career and community services and early learning
Schenectady Community Action Program – career and community services and early learning
Alpha Pregnancy Care Center – providing solutions, support, education and hope to men and women facing a wide range of pregnancy and family decisions.
Meals on Wheels – Meals on Wheels is a program that provides older people nutritious meals and safety checks at little to no cost.
Urban Grief – Help when coping with a tragedy in your community.
Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region – offers a variety of health and wellness and support services.
Eating Better on a Budget – the USDA has put together an informational sheet on getting the most food for your budget while eating in a healthy way. You may find the sheet here.
Mental Health Support
While these resources are meant to provide information on maintaining good mental health and identifying mental health issues, it is not meant to take the place of professional advice from a qualified doctor or mental health specialist.
Call or text 988 to connect directly with mental health professionals at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The New York State Office of Mental Health has partnered with the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State to develop a comprehensive website offering a set of tools for members of the community.
Resources from the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Mental Health Resources for College Students
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides information, resources, training and programs.