8th Grade

Take Stock in Children

Eighth grade students are able to apply to Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children program. Selected students remain enrolled in the program until they graduate from high school. The core elements of Take Stock in Children are mentorship, college and career readiness, one-on-one college and career coaching, and providing scholarships to students who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school. Students selected for the program are matched with a caring mentor who meets with the students on a regular basis (16 times per school year) at school or using approved, monitored virtual options. Students will participate in college access workshops offered in-person at Champions For Learning, which cover relevant topics such as the college admissions process, financial aid, and college selection. They will also meet with their College Success Coach frequently to monitor academic progress and develop post-high school education and career plans. Students who enroll in Take Stock in Children also participate in our College and Career Preparation Program in 11th and 12th grade, where they will gain additional experience and support while developing leadership and foundational skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn a Florida Prepaid College Foundation 2-year state college tuition scholarship.

Application Requirements

Students selected for Take Stock in Children commit to:
  • Staying drug and crime free
  • Maintaining at least a 2.5 unweighted cumulative GPA and a ‘C’ or above in all courses
  • Attend school regularly (No more than four absences per quarter)
  • Exhibit good behavior in and out of school
  • Volunteer and become involved in the community
  • Meet regularly with their mentor on school grounds (or in a virtual supervised setting, when necessary)- minimum of 16 times per school year
  • Complete program curriculum and yearly benchmarks (this is a program serving students in eighth through twelfth grades)
  • Participate in all program activities, meetings, and events, including weekly programming in grades 11 and 12
  • Respond to communication from mentor and/or Champions For Learning staff within 24 hours
To be eligible to apply for Take Stock in Children, students must meet the below listed criteria:
  • Attend a Collier County public school
  • Have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA
  • Have good attendance and behavior
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident or Eligible Non-Citizen
  • Have a Social Security Number
  • Qualify under at least ONE of the options outlined below:
    • Meet Free and Reduced Lunch program / USDA Eligibility (chart below) based on 2022 Taxes with student listed as dependent
    • Have HUD Documentation / or meet HUD Income Eligibility (chart below) based on 2022 Taxes with student listed as dependent
    • Student receives Medicaid from DCF or SSI
    • Student received SNAP or TANF benefits

Take Stock in Children Eligibility Graph

Application Dates & Information

Application opens: August 10, 2023
Application deadline: December 1, 2023

For assistance or questions regarding applications, please contact