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College Start: Freshman Year

The transition from high school to college can be tough. Applying to college in 12th grade is stressful, and then there’s more pressure to do well in a new setting with new expectations. BEAM is here to help with all of that. 

 

College Start begins in 12th grade and continues through your first year in college. Sign up to get help with college applications and financial aid, and to get support during your first year.  Whether it's establishing new study habits, or figuring out how to meet new people and make friends, we understand there are many challenging aspects of college and have ideas to help you navigate them.

When you sign up, you commit to:

  • Enrolling in college and having freshman or first year standing

  • Staying up to date with BEAM.  This includes:

    • Submitting the annual survey

    • Submitting your class schedule at the beginning of each semester

    • Submitting your transcript at the end of each semester

    • Attending a required Transcript Review meeting with the College Success Coordinator in January of your first year

  • A meeting in September or October of your freshman year with the College Success Coordinator is strongly encouraged

And in return, BEAM commits to:

  • Providing stipends each semester

  • Advising meetings when you want them

  • Sharing STEM related opportunities such as internships, research, advice

Funding:

Students enrolled in College Start receive $150 at the start of each semester from BEAM. 

 

BEAM is able to provide this money thanks to donors and we intend to share the impact of the money with them so we can keep this funding going for future cohorts of students. 

 

To get the stipend, you must:

 

  • Share a recent photo

  • Share information about what the money allowed you to do

  • Share information about how BEAM has supported your adjustment to college 

 

Notes

 

  • This money is only available two times a year as a maximum. If you are on a trimester calendar, you will get the money once in the fall and once in the early spring, to coincide with a typical semester schedule. 

  • Most students are only eligible for this money twice but you can discuss exceptions with BEAM if it takes you longer than one year to get to sophomore status. 

  • If you enter college with sophomore status already, you may request instead to get STEM Support funding. You should choose whichever option is most beneficial to you.

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STEM-related reimbursements

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BEAM wants to make it easier to take STEM classes, where costs for textbooks, calculators, and lab fees can add up. If you send us your receipts for STEM-related costs we can reimburse you! 

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