Our End-of-Year survey helps us make necessary program changes based on your crucial feedback. It is an opportunity for you to share feedback on your volunteer experience with us. Your voice helps shape our volunteer program, so please take a few minutes to submit your responses below.

End-of-Year Survey

Latest Updates

As we wrap up this program year, we want to take a moment to thank you for all that you’ve done to support your students throughout the college application journey.

From brainstorming essays to navigating big decisions and submitting applications, your encouragement and guidance have made a lasting impact. Behind every student success story is a coach who believed in their potential and helped them build the confidence to share their story.

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This will be your final newsletter for the Class of 2026. Thank you again for being part of the ScholarMatch community. We’re so grateful for your time, care, and dedication, and we look forward to staying connected.

Volunteer Intent Form

Whether you plan to return as a volunteer for another year or are moving on after this coaching term, we're incredibly grateful for all that you've offered our students and community. Please submit your intent to volunteer form here to inform us of your plans for the 2026-2027 academic year

Matching has begun!

Monthly Goals

February 1, 2026

Apply for Scholarships

June 1, 2026

Create a College Transition Plan

Head over to our College-Ready Milestones page to learn more about available resources and deadlines.
*A note on standardized testing: Our general guidance when advising students on standardized test scores, either to take or re-take the tests, is unique to each student and, of course, depends on the colleges they are considering. As a best practice, we recommend that students review the policies at each school and understand the recommendations. See our Standardized Testing guide for further support.

Announcements

ScholarMatch Higher Ed Updates
College Toolkit We have added new resources for undocumented students!
Have suggestions? Fill out the form!

Quick Links

Coach FAQ
Volunteer Handbook
College Coach Onboarding Modules
Student Support Playbook
Multiple Missing Coach Reports FAQ (c/o 2025)
SFFA SCOTUS Decision Document

Latest Update

A big welcome to the newest college coaches at ScholarMatch!

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We are incredibly appreciative of your time and support as we help our students apply for college this year. We're excited for you to connect with each other and with your students.

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How to navigate this page:

On the right side of this page, you will find quick links to the most used resources and important announcements. Below, you will find monthly updates for the month of June. And don’t forget to browse each tab above for specific updates regarding webinars, community support, and more.

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Action Items

Each month, we will ask you to submit a coach report for the work you've done with your student in the previous month (e.g., in June, we will ask you to submit a report for May). If you were matched with a student in May, please submit your coach report. If you have not been matched yet, please do not submit this form.

Coach reports are a necessary part of our program. They help us understand themes and trends, plan student webinars, and inform our programming, including efficient ways to support you. Please let us know how things are going in the notes section.

We understand that some months are busier than others, or that your student may become unresponsive at times. Please review the linked FAQ document about our "Multiple Missing Coach Reports" Protocol. Need help keeping track of your notes every month? This tracker tool can help.

Submit Your Coach Report Here

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Get Started

Join our community platforms:
‍Coach Listserv - If you'd like to connect with other coaches or get support answering any of your college application related questions, ask them here.
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LinkedIn group - This is where you can connect with our coach community and get announcements from ScholarMatch staff.

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Resources

‍Resource Hub For Coaches

College Ready Milestones

College Toolkit

ScholarMatch Webinars

Coach Coffee Chat: Volunteer Advisory Council Edition

Tuesday, June 23 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (PT)/7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Coach Coffee Chats offer a relaxed, informal space for ScholarMatch coaches to connect, share experiences, and support one another. This session will be hosted by the Volunteer Advisory Council, featuring a mix of seasoned and newer coaches.

Bring your questions, comments, and suggestions. We want to hear from you! Whether you’re navigating financial aid and scholarships, reflecting on this past season, or looking for practical ways to strengthen connections with your students, coaches will be there to help you problem-solve and share what has worked for them.

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College Coach Panel: Countering Bad Advice to Aspiring College Students

Thursday, June 25 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (PT)/6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (ET)

With so much information widely available, it's common for students to listen to and follow harmful advice about the college application process. This can ultimately affect their chances of reaching their full potential and attending their best fit college. In this session, seasoned ScholarMatch college coaches will discuss how they navigate these tricky conversations with their students and continue to motivate them through the college application process. We encourage new and returning coaches to join us.

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External Webinars

Sisters Virtual Information Session (Hosted by Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Wellesley Colleges)

Tuesday, June 16 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (PT)/ 7:00 - 8:00 (EST)

Join the deans and directors of the five Sisters Colleges for a joint information session about the value of women's colleges. Learn about the strength of our academics, communities, and outcomes.

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College Essay Tips from Admissions Officers (Hosted by: Coalition for College)

Wednesday, June 17 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (PT)/ 7:00 - 8:00 (EST)

The college essay is students’ chance to share with admissions officers who they are in their own words. But what are admissions officers actually looking for, and how should students approach this part of their application?

In this panel discussion, admissions counselors from Coalition schools will talk about how they read and review essays. They’ll also answer burning questions about how to pick a topic, while sharing practical tips for all stages of the writing process. Whether you are just starting to brainstorm an idea with your student or ready to revise it, this event will help you find the clarity to help your student tell their story.

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Navigating Federal Student Loan Changes (Hosted by: uAspire)

Tuesday, June 23 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (PT)/4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (ET)

In this session, participants will learn about upcoming changes coming to federal student loans as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), taking effect after July 1, 2026, including new borrowing limits and repayment options. The session will equip practitioners with the knowledge and tools to guide students through these changes with confidence.

Learning Objectives:

Explain federal loan options and new borrowing limits effective July 1, 2026
Describe repayment plans available to current and new borrowers
Identify key resources to help students navigate federal student loans

Please note: This session is live and won’t be recorded. Slides and resources will be shared afterwards.

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June Goals (Milestones)

Each month, students work on a set of milestones designed to help them stay on track with the college application process. These milestones and suggested deadlines will be listed in each newsletter as a reminder.

See June milestones below:

August 31, 2025

Explore College Fit and Match

August 31, 2025

Check SAT/ACT Test Policies

Apply to National Scholarships

Expand your Horizons

Quick Links

College Application Tracker
List Building Resources
Building Rapport with Your Student Guide
American Talent Initiative (ATI)
Balanced College List Review Feedback
College Spotlight
Monthly Scholarship List
May and June Scholarships

College Toolkit

Checkout our comprehensive college toolkit filled with resources to help you support your Students.

Have any resources to share that you think other coaches would benefit from? Click here to submit them

College Toolkit

Scholarships

This month, we’re including a list of scholarships with June & July Scholarship Deadlines—however, we always recommend finding local scholarships since students will have higher chances of receiving those awards. Along with this, Immigrants Rising has a scholarship list for undocumented students.

Quick Links

June & July Scholarship Deadlines
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
ACT Academy
College Application Tracker
Khan Academy SAT Prep
List-building resources
Standardized Testing Guide
ScholarMatch Advising Playbook
Monthly Scholarship List
Undocumented student campus resources
Colleges that meet full need
American Talent Initiative Schools (ATI)
Federal Student Aid Estimator
FAFSA Hub
A Focus on Improving the FAFSA® Experience
Common App

ScholarMatch Webinars

Coach Coffee Chat: Volunteer Advisory Council Edition

Tuesday, June 23 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (PT)/7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

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Upcoming External Webinars

Navigating Federal Student Loan Changes (Hosted by: uAspire)

Tuesday, June 23 | 1 - 2 p.m. PT/4 - 5 p.m. ET

There are significant changes coming to federal student loans as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). In this session, participants will learn about upcoming federal loan changes that take effect after July 1, 2026, including new borrowing limits and repayment options. The session will equip practitioners with the knowledge and tools to guide students through the changes with confidence.

Learning Objectives:

Explain federal loan options and new borrowing limits effective July 1, 2026
Describe repayment plans available to current and new borrowers
Identify key resources to help students navigate federal student loans

Please note: This session is live and won’t be recorded. Slides and resources will be shared afterwards.

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Relevant Recordings & Training Opportunities

uAspire CSS Profile Completion | Webinar (Part 1, Part 2) | Materials

FAFSA Completion | Webinar (Part 1, Part 2) | Materials

ScholarMatch & uAspire: FAFSA Q&A | Watch: Recording (available through 6/30/2026)

ScholarMatch & uAspire: FAFSA Completion Part 1 | Watch: Recording (available through 6/30/2026)

ScholarMatch & uAspire: FAFSA Completion Part 2 | Watch: Recording (available through 6/30/2026)

ScholarMatch & uAspire: CSS Profile Completion Part 1 | Watch: Recording (available through 6/30/2026)

ScholarMatch & uAspire: CSS Profile Completion Part 2 | Watch: Recording (available through 6/30/2026)

Would You like to Lead a Webinar?

We are excited to continue our 2026-27 Coach-led Webinars series! If you are interested in leading a webinar, please apply here.

Quick Links

Support our Coach Recruitment Efforts

One of the most effective ways for us to recruit more amazing volunteers like you is through word of mouth. As a member of the ScholarMatch community, you experience firsthand our impact and how transformative our program can be for first-generation students.

Spreading the word takes less than 5 minutes!

Share this opportunity with your LinkedIn network by clicking on the links below. We encourage you to add your own language when sharing these posts. Your experience (your “why”) can resonate with other individuals more than you think.

ScholarMatch Volunteer Nation Podcast - Linkedin

Prefer to share on Instagram instead? Repost one of our reels below:

Reel #1

Reel #2

Want to be a Varsity Coach?

A varsity college coach is a coach who has expertise in one or more of the following:

Personal Statement best practices
Financial aid: FAFSA - particularly in demand!
Financial aid: CSS profile - particularly in demand!
Building a balanced college list - particularly in demand!
Supporting undocumented students
Supporting STEM students

And is willing to share that expertise with other coaches via the communication method of their choice (email, text, phone calls, video calls, etc.) Does this sound like a good fit for you? Then submit an application below!

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Varsity Coach Interest Form

Want to Lead a Webinar?

We are excited to announce the launch of our Coach-led Webinar series. If you are interested in leading a webinar, hosting a Q&A, or participating in a panel discussion, we are currently accepting webinar interest forms for the fall. We are looking forward to working more closely with our coach community to offer students the holistic support that meets their diverse needs. If you are interested in leading a webinar, please apply below and we will be in touch.

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Share Student Stories!

Have a student story you want to share! Please click below and share with us.

ScholarMatch Story & Spotlight

Support Our New STEM Transfer Program

We are inviting experienced ScholarMatch coaches to support transfer students in the Bay Area as they pursue their STEM degrees. Navigating the transfer process, especially into STEM majors at UCs, CSUs, private, and out-of-state schools, can be overwhelming. That is where you come in!

Join us at one of our STEM Transfer Coach Info Sessions to learn more about this program:

Support Our New STEM Transfer Program Recording

For more information about our new program, visit our STEM Transfer Program page.

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Quick Links

Connect with Other Coaches via Community Platforms

Join our Community Platforms!‍

Connect with fellow coaches in our vibrant community. Join our LinkedIn group to share tips and suggestions and build community with other passionate individuals dedicated to mentoring students. We also recommend posting your questions (and celebrations) on our Coach Listserv.

Student Communication and Engagement

Have you been matched with a student who isn’t responding? Has your scholar gone radio silent after you began working together? Is your student rescheduling all your meetings? We know from precedent that this unfortunately happens with a small number of our students each year, so we’ve created a few guides to help you out and clarify our expectations.

Student Engagement and Communication Norms

Unresponsive Student Protocol

Unresponsive Student Form

Quick Links

Forum Email Listserv
Coach LinkedIn Group
Coach Varsity Gallery

Training and Onboarding Timeline

PROCESS

DEADLINE

Training and Onboarding Period

March - May

Final day to submit all onboarding materials

May 31

Coach Orientation Session on Zoom*

June

Match with a student and begin coaching until June 2026

July - August

* = will be recorded and posted to the coach resource page

Volunteer Handbook

We’re so happy you’ve decided to join us in the fight for educational equity! With your help, we are making college possible for students in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. As a ScholarMatch volunteer, you are joining a community of dedicated professionals committed to supporting students to and through college.

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Collectively, our volunteer community has an incredible wealth of experience and expertise in all college-related topics. Whether you’re a seasoned professional in college access or coming to this work from another field, we’re excited to have you join us!

Review the Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find my Coach ID?

You can find your Coach ID in the emails you received from ScholarMatch (advising@scholarmatch.org).

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I need more time to complete my training modules, who do I contact?

If you need more time to complete the training modules, please email volunteer@scholarmatch.org.

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Do I have to complete the training if I am an independent education consultant (IEC) or work in a field related to college access and admissions?

If you have previous experience in college access and admissions and would like to waive the training modules, please complete our Training Module Waiver Form. Please note that completing this form does not automatically waive the training modules. Our team will review your submission and be in touch to let you know if we can advance you directly to our onboarding module.

Please review our Pre-Training College Coach FAQs for additional information. If you have any other questions or would like to speak with a member of the ScholarMatch staff, please email volunteer@scholarmatch.org.

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Quick Links

Coach Training Modules
Volunteer Handbook

PROGRAM CALENDAR

View upcoming events below.

MEET OUR COMMUNITY

VARSITY COLLEGE COACHES

Join a network of passionate individuals dedicated to guiding students through their educational journeys. Share experiences, exchange insights, and collaborate with like-minded changemakers to empower students towards academic success and beyond. Together, we make a difference!

The view below is password protected, please reach out to advising@scholarmatch.org for the password.

Subscribe to our Coach Email List

Join our Coach Linkedin Group

COLLEGE COACHES

Program Report Form

Calendar

Varsity Coaches

Updates, Opportunities, and the Latest on our Volunteer Community

Apply for Scholarships

Create a College Transition Plan

Explore College Fit and Match

Check SAT/ACT Test Policies

Apply to National Scholarships

Expand your Horizons

PROGRAM CALENDAR

VARSITY COLLEGE COACHES

CONNECT WITH US