Locations

Lake County Scholarships & Support

Founded in Marin in 1981, 10,000 Degrees has expanded to seven additional Bay Area counties serving more than 16,000+ high school and college students each year. Launched in Lake County in Fall 2022 at Lower Lake High School as part of Hope Rising’s “Smart Start/Bright Future” Initiative, 10,000 Degrees began delivering on-campus support for seniors from low-income backgrounds. Our local impact includes near-peer mentoring, financial aid advising, scholarships, and college matriculation support.

Established in

2022

High School Students Served Annually

High School Participants

College & Financial Aid Workshops

Scholarships in FY23

Awarded to

$ 0

College Students

200

Partner Schools

High Schools
Lower Lake High School

The Opportunity in Lake County

Meaningful change. Lasting impact.

Lake County offers breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural history. However, this remote, resilient community has struggled for years with the impact of devastating wildfires and limited economic opportunities. The college dream remains out of reach for many Lake County high school students, as the troubling statistics at right demonstrate.

What we do: We work directly with Lake County students from low-income backgrounds to:

Foster a college-going culture
Introduce 2- and 4-year college pathway options
Assist students with college applications and enrollment
Help students apply for and manage free financial aid (FAFSA & CA Dream Act)
Provide scholarships and near-peer mentoring to successfully navigate the entire college journey
Offer community college transfer support
and more!

Our support extends to, through, and beyond college: We offer paid internships and career development opportunities through our local business partners.

of Lake County high school students are socioeconomically disadvantaged

0 %

of Lake County high school seniors graduate without meeting the academic requirements to attend a four-year college

0 %

of Lake County high school students did not submit applications for free financial aid

0 %

Your gift to 10,000 Degrees will allow us to help more Lake County students from low-income backgrounds achieve their college and career dreams.

What our partners, students, alumni, and staff have to say about 10,000 Degrees

Regional Stories

"As a Fellow Lake County resident, former student at LLHS, and first-generation college graduate it’s truly humbling to be able to work with students who have similar backgrounds as me—students who are just starting out on this journey towards college graduation."

“Before I started working with you I had no idea what I wanted to do or how to get started and now I have figured out what interests me and I am so close to submitting everything!”

“Thank you so much! We have not had to go through this process before and had no idea where to start so this program is amazing!”

“Thank you for all the information and for answering all my questions while I figure out my options!”

"Education is the key to a happier and more successful life. I feel I’ve honored my family in prioritizing education in my life and it’s a value my wife and I have also instilled in our children. Education provided me with the opportunity to pay-it-forward in the biggest way possible."

Christopher Gonzales

Chief Strategy Officer

Wli Weinzveg

Director of College Pathways for Sonoma, Napa, and Lake County