College Knowledge and Scholarship Program

In pursing its mission to give girls the support they need to graduate from high school, The Friendship Club has found that the vast majority of its graduating girls have the ability and aptitude to continue onto college or vocational school. Because most of these girls are in the first-generation of their families to attend college, they require extra support and encouragement to realize that college is within their reach. Our College Knowledge program was developed to fulfill this need.

The College Knowledge program begins in sixth grade with a visit to Sierra College’s Grass Valley campus. The older girls visit a variety of college campuses around Northern California. The high school curriculum includes overnight trips with tours of several different college campuses.

High school juniors and seniors who are preparing for college receive support with their college admissions tests and guidance with applying for financial aid. The Friendship Club provides scholarships to girls pursuing education beyond high school.

"This fall, I’m starting college. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember.  But up until a few years ago, I never really thought it would happen. Then I went on one of The Friendship Club’s college trips, and I had so much fun going on the college tours and seeing all the opportunities available to me that I made up my mind before we even got back, I was going to go to college, no matter what." 
--Shilo P., 2008 Friendship Club graduate. Shilo is currently a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in chemistry