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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 26, 2004

Scholarships offered for spring SAT preparatory classes

Advertiser Staff

College Connections Hawai'i, an educational nonprofit, is offering scholarships for Scholastic Assessment Test preparation classes to low- and moderate-income students in an effort to narrow the gap in scores between those students and those whose annual family incomes exceed $50,000.

The SAT is the most widely taken college entrance exam in the state, with 7,400 students taking it last year.

The College Board found that SAT test scores correlated directly with family income.

Students with family incomes under $50,000 had combined scores of 881-967 out of 1600, while those with incomes over $50,000 scored from 985 to 1115.

"One hundred points on the SAT makes a big difference in college options," said Wren Wescoatt, executive director of College Connections Hawai'i. "Lower scores mean fewer college choices. Any student can raise SAT scores with the right instruction, but it needs to be affordable.

The organization is offering scholarships for seven different six-week SAT prep classes this spring. The courses normally cost $295, but with scholarships the cost will drop to $45 or $145, depending on income.

Students can get applications from their school counselor or online at www.collegeconnections.org.

For more information, call 737-8955, or toll free from the Neighbor Islands at (866) 233-0777.

The deadlines are two weeks before the start date of each class:

  • Sacred Hearts Academy: Saturdays from March 13 to April 24
  • Moloka'i High School: Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays from April 6 to April 24
  • Wai'anae High School: Saturdays from April 17 to May 22
  • College Connections Hawaii Center in Kaimuki: Saturdays from April 24 to May 1
  • McKinley High School: Saturdays from April 24 to May 1
  • Mililani YMCA: Saturdays from April 24 to May 1
  • Windward Community College: Saturdays from April 24 to May 1.