SJ Aspires

What is SJ Aspires?

San José Aspires is an invitation-based program for students at select schools in San José. Students in the program will receive financial awards as they complete different tasks connected to college and career readiness. Through the program, students may earn up to $5,000 to support their post-secondary educational goals.

Update

We have some exciting news about San Jose Aspires. San José Public Library has selected the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley as managing partner for the continuation of the San Jose Aspires initiative.

Learn more

Participants

SJ Aspires is proud to partner with the following schools and organizations.

Overfelt High School
Class of 2025 *
Class of 2024

San José High School
Class of 2025 *
Class of 2024
Class of 2023

Strategic Partnership

* first generation college students only

SJ Aspires Awards

Each year students have more than 30 awards available to claim. San José Aspires works closely with school partners to approve some of these awards--like GPA, attendance, and succeeding in classes. Students are also able to pursue additional awards every year that are focused on their High School journey. Below are examples of awards that students can earn at each grade level.

9th Grade

Create Accounts: SRA, Khan Academy, Big Future
Join a Club
Find a Mentor
Learn a Foreign Language

10th Grade

Lead a Club
Create a Resume
Apply for an Internship
Learn to Code

11th Grade

Take an AP Exam
Take the ACT or SAT Exam
Participate in Teens Reach
Play on an Athletics Team

12th Grade

Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application
Get Volunteer Experience
Complete a Career Inventory
Apply to College

SJ Aspires FAQ

Your Scholar Dollars

Once students graduate from high school and enroll in a post-secondary institution (trade school, community college, or four-year college or university), they can receive the funds that have accumulated during their time in SJ Aspires. These funds are held in their SJ Aspires Scholar Dollars Account and hosted by our banking partner, Citibank.

Once students create their account, they can login anytime and see their post-secondary funds grow.

Scholar Dollars Account Log In

Current students can login on their SJ Aspires Student Community Portal to see their completed awards and claim new awards.

SJ Aspires students from Overfelt High School participated in an event at the Samsung@First campus. Questions were answered; ideas were exchanged; and, Samsung got a wonderful glimpse at our future technologists.

SJ Aspires Launch Press Conference

Thursday, April 15, 2021, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and others announced the official launch of the SJ Aspires Program.

Donors

We’re grateful for the financial support provided by many corporations, foundations and individuals that recognize the important role libraries play in preparing our youth for a prosperous future.