LIHUE — The Bridge: Kauai to College is offering a free workshop and lunch for all graduating high school seniors and their parents who have aspirations of attending college. The workshop/lunch will be held at the St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall in Lihue on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We will have guest speakers, mentors who facilitate college students, a financial aid adviser from the Kauai Community College, students who currently attend college, and others who have met college challenges and succeeded,” said Virginia Dunas, a Kauai Bridge board member. “They will all be on hand to help students stay grounded and on track while enjoying themselves during the college experience.”
Parents will be able to ask questions about financial aid.
“Some people do not realize that financial aid is readily available in forms of loans for parents and students,” Dunas said.
”There are also scholarships and grants, most of the time based on need, not achievement in academics or sports.”
Those wishing to attend the workshop and lunch are asked to reserve a free space (and lunch) by sending an email with their name, phone number and the number of people planning to attend to kauaitocollege@gmail.com.
The Bridge: Kauai to College, became a nonprofit organization in May 2016 when Susan Davis, a clinical psychologist, started with the idea of guiding Kauai teens, free of charge, through the process of applying for college.
The Bridge matches volunteer adult mentors with motivated high school students to plan ahead for college entrance, select the appropriate colleges and universities, complete successful applications and essays, plan finances, and apply for financial aid and scholarships. The mentoring support continues through the first college years.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com
