Cal-SOAP

Cal-​SOAP! It sounds like a laundry product. But nope, it is an indispensable organization that helps get kids into college. The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-​SOAP) was «established by the state legislature in 1978. Today, Cal-​SOAP is instrumental in improving the flow of information about post-​secondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-​income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-​eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college,» according to the website.
This past week, Cal-​SOAP had a College Night 2010 at Scottish Rite Center. A estimated 3,000 kids and their parent/​guardians attended. There were several workshops on topics like «Making College Affordable» and «Secrets of Selective Colleges.» Over 100 in-​and-​out-​of-​state colleges had information tables set up in the ballroom. Colleges as diverse as Sam Houston University to Notre Dame were there. I hit up the Community College table and got a lecture on making sure my son and I filled out the FAFSTA as soon as the clock strikes the New Year.
The common goal of Cal-​SOAP is to help get the word out about college and financial aid while raising achievement levels of targeted students. The services provided by Cal-​SOAP include advising, tutoring, parent outreach, and college awareness workshops. When the time comes for your kid to start thinking about life after high school-​go get Cal-​SOAPED!