Dear Senior class of 2021,

My name is Stacey LaChance, I am the Sierra College High School Transition Counselor at Del Oro.  My role is to assist seniors who plan to attend Sierra College as a “First-Time Student” this upcoming 2021-2022 school year. 

My current office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00pm-2:00pm. You can reach me by email, through my weekly Google Meet office hours (listed on the last page of this letter) or by setting up an individual virtual appointment.

Your Sierra College Enrollment Specialist is Matt Malepeai. Matt works closely with students to  assist with questions regarding the enrollment process and General Sierra College questions. He is available through email or weekly Zoom sessions, see more information regarding the Zoom sessions on the last page of this letter.

Mrs. Fessenden, (bfessenden@puhsd.k12.ca.us) Del Oro’s College and Career/Counseling Technician, is also available to answer any Sierra College questions if Matt or myself are unavailable.

Contact Information

For counseling related questions contact:

Stacey LaChance

High School Transitions Counselor

Sierra College

Slachance@sierracollege.edu

For Application/enrollment/Registration questions contact:

Matt Malepeai

Enrollment Specialist

Sierra College

mmalepeai@sierracollege.edu

Promise and Two Years Free

What is Promise and how do I become a Promise Scholar?

Sierra Promise is a commitment to provide local high school students the opportunity to go to college. Students commit to enroll in 30 or more units within their fall/spring semesters and if they “opt-in” as a Promise Scholar located in their mySierra account (accessible once the student has applied) will receive the benefit of priority registration for their first semester.

Sierra Promise information page

What is Two Years Free?

Your first two years of tuition could be free! We want to remove financial barriers, so all students are able to pursue higher education. There is no income requirement, you just need to be a first time student and California resident. 

Steps to complete to get Two Years Free:

1. Opt-in to Two Years Free in your mySierra portal

2. Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application for all required years

3. Enroll full-time in fall and spring (12 units required, 15 recommended). See FAQs for questions regarding summer term.

To learn more, view our Two Years Free information

Mid-Year Grad Two-Years Free Information

If fall 2020 is your last term at Del Oro and you plan on attending Sierra College in the spring, summer or fall of 2021, please review the information linked here.

**For Mid Term grads planning to attend a 4 year university in the fall of 2021, taking classes at Sierra in the spring and/or summer terms may make you ineligible to attend the university. Please read the Mid Year Grad letter linked above.

Financial Aid

The 2021/22 Federal Student Aid or CA Dream Act application is available as early as October 1, 2020. It is in your best interest to complete the appropriate application as early as possible. We strongly recommend the FAFSA or CA Dream Act is completed no later than March 2, 2021. 

First time college students who plan to take classes in spring/summer 2021 continuing into the fall, will need to complete the 2020/21 and 2021/22 FAFSA or CA Dream Act application. For students starting in fall 2021, you will only need to complete the 2021/22 FAFSA or CA Dream Act application for this upcoming school year.

Apply annually for Sierra College scholarship offerings by completing a single application. Deadline is March 2, 2021.

Enrollment Process: Step by Step

1. Apply to Sierra College

• SIerra College Welcome Email

• Email will be sent to email you listed in your application

• Follow instructions to set password for access to mySierra account

2. Helpful mySierra Steps Webinar (Watch this video before proceeding to your mySierra account)

3. Join the DO/Sierra College REMIND Texts

• Text @delorosc to the number 81010

4. Log in to your mySierra account 

• College Terms and Conditions

• Select College Terms and Conditions

• Click  I have read and understand the information above

• Promise Scholar 

• Select Become a Promise Scholar

• Review Promise information and click on I Understand

• Two Years Free Opt-In

• Select Two Years Free Opt In

• Review information and click on Opt In

• Forward Sierra College email to your most check email account

• Select Email

• Once logged into your email, select the settings “gear” in the upper right corner, type “Forwarding” in the search bar and follow the directions to forward emails. Make sure to select SAVE.

5. Complete the mandatory online Career and Academic Planning (CAP) to schedule counseling appointment 

• Sierra College Student Services- CAP/Counseling

• Use your mySierra username and password to sign into Canvas to complete CAP.

NOTE: If you require accommodations at Sierra College based on current IEP or 504, please let me know, so I can refer you to Disabled Students Program Services (DSPS).  You will still complete the CAP and will want to schedule an appointment directly with a Disabled Students Program Services (DSPS) counselor. Please contact DSPS at your earliest convenience to schedule an online appointment. (916) 660-7460. You will need to give your Sierra College Student ID (located in the “Welcome to Sierra Email”) when making your appointment.

6. Counseling Appointment

• Once you complete CAP, email Stacey LaChance (slachance@sierracollege.edu) to schedule your 1:1 counseling appointment. I ask that you email me through your Sierra College student email account from this step forward.

7. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Dream Act Application

• Complete 2021-2022 application

• The student and a parent must create FAFSA ID to submit FAFSA application

• Got to https://studentaid.edgov/sa/fafsa or https://dream.csac.ca.gov/ to complete the appropriate application.

• Please note if you are enrolling in the summer 2021 term, you will need to complete the FAFSA/ Dream Act for two academic years, 2020-21 and 2021-2022. 

• Make sure to select Sierra College from the college list

• Once completed watch Financial Aid: Next Steps for instructions on how to complete FAFSA steps at Sierra College.

• Contact the Financial Aid department at Sierra College if you have any financial aid questions financialaidquestion@sierracollege.edu

8. Fall Promise Priority Registration Date: TBA 

• How to access your Ed Plan on DegreeWorks

Please keep in mind, We will be working with 200+ students between fall and spring terms. It is the responsibility of the student to begin the enrollment process, please do not hesitate to reach out to Matt or myself. We look forward to working with you this year.

Sincerely,

Stacey LaChance and Matt Malapeai

Sierra College Enrollment Services