College Access
Our vision is for all high school students in Oakland Public Schools and charter schools to have access and support to set them on a path to college & career success. Congratulations to our Class of 2021 Oakland Promise Scholarship Recipients! You did it! Your dedication & hard work have led to achievements in need of being celebrated. Seniors for Class of 2022, scholarship opens November 1st, 2021!
Start your scholarship application
Parents & Students: Learn more from our Resource Hub
Providing Support to over 10,000 High School Students in Oakland Public Schools.
Providing Support to over 10,000 High School Students in Oakland Public Schools.
Scholarships
Scholars awarded a multi-year scholarship from Oakland Promise receive scholarship funds as well as mentoring, peer-advising, networking opportunities, and other persistence support and services to achieve post-secondary success.
Get started on Your Scholarship Application
College Access Team
Alitta Boyd
Senior Manager, College Access
Jazz Broughton
Program Coordinator, College Access
LeAna Powell
Program Associate, College Access
Reequanza McBride
Program Coordinator, College Access
Sandra Ernst
Director, College Access and College Completion
Our Impact by the Numbers
3 Future Centers
Serving at least 3,700 students
700 Scholars
Every year we anticipate to award 600 plus scholars (in the past year with about $2.5 million dollars).
95% of Awarded Scholars
Percentage of high school graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions
10,000 HS Students
Received targeted college and career readiness supports
Financial Aid & Scholarships
High school students and families are provided both group and 1:1 support navigating the financial aid process and apply to local and national scholarships.
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Career Exploration
Explore your interest and learn about yourself. Our career exploration curriculum is aimed at supporting high school students identify career paths, gather work experience through internships and career panels with community members.
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Family Engagement
We want all of our students to be successful in a college or career of his/her choice. We provide quality resources and training for parents on high school preparedness plus college/career readiness.
Learn MoreResources
View all resourcesScholarships and Mental Health Resources for Students
Oakland Promise Scholarships
FindHelp.org: Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs
Apply to UC 2020-2021
OUSD Alumni at Castlemont Survey
Parent Survey
Student Survey
Healthy Food Resources in Alameda County
Khan Academy (SAT prep for 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, grade students who want to attend college)
OUSD Family Central Website: OUSD Website for families. It includes resources for distance learning, technology, food, health, and legal assistance.
The Oakland Reach (The City-Wide Virtual Hub): Here families will receive the help they need to survive this moment intact, housed, and physically and mentally healthy — including individual guidance through a Family Liaison, seminars, and connections to services.
Resources for Undocumented Immigrants and their Families During COVID-19
Stay Informed
Learn the latest news on Oakland Promise and in the field of education and community in Oakland.
Testimonials
"The Future Center at Castlemont is great because you can come to get all of your support in one place. I've gotten support enrolling in classes at Laney because of the Future Center and I know this is making me more prepared for college".
Lisipa Mikaele
Former 11th grader Castlemont student
"I applied to more than 20 scholarships and got denied 19 times, but the one that said “yes”, just happened to be the best one of them all. This scholarship under Oakland Promise has not only allowed me to go to school debt free, but also provided me with a mentor who will advise me on any questions or issues I might have while attending my university."
Imahni Cheeks
Class of 2021 Oakland Tech
"I recommend any Oakland high school student to apply, as it is important to apply to scholarships that support your local community that wants to see you succeed as much as you do."
Imahni Cheeks
Class of 2021 Oakland Tech
Video Testimonial
Reach out to the College Access Team
Have a question? Need some support? We look forward to hearing from you!
