A Partnership Benefiting Houston's Economy

The Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund has teamed up with the Greater Houston Partnership's  UpSkill Houston initiative.  Together with local industries, SmartUp Houston is educating Houston area students and parents about job opportunities in our region and the critical skills needed to land these well-paying positions.  In addition, we have expanded our 28-year scholarship program to include two-year, as well as four-year college scholarships.

 Our goals:

•  To help students make smart higher education decisions and enter the workforce with specific job opportunities and as little debt as possible 

•  To attract and maintain a future workforce, helping to sustain the economic viability of the Houston region.

The SmartUp Houston College & Career Conference will help students connect the dots between what to study on a 2-year or 4-year college campus and the required skills to secure current and future well-paying jobs in multiple industries.  Students have a perfect opportunity to interact with educational institutions and employers on site and begin to chart a viable career path while minimizing debt.  

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

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 And THANK YOU TO OUR GENERAL SPONSORS

Financial Assistance 

The Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund has an annual goal of awarding 16 college scholarships, 8 scholarships for students planning to attend a community college and 8 scholarships for students planning to attend a four year college. The amount of the scholarship will depend upon the funds we are able to raise, although the average is generally between $10,000 and $20,000.  These funds will enable students to pay for a significant portion of their tuition, books and educational supplies. As part of the application submitted in their junior year of high school, students must write two essays, provide letters of recommendation, and complete a career exploration activity; semi-finalists are then called in for an interview. Recipients are awarded at the end of their junior year of high school and are required to attend the SmartUp Houston college and career preparation seminars throughout their senior year.  

SmartUp Houston Seminars 

Site Title

The SmartUp Houston seminars guide scholars through multiple intensive, group workshops in an interactive format.  LLSF scholarship recipients are required to attend these seminars during their senior year to better prepare them for college and life in the workforce.  Scholars receive valuable mentoring and instruction from prominent leaders in the community on topics including:  the college application and admissions process, FAFSA and financial aid,  personal finance, etiquette, what employers are looking for, industry overviews including salaries, and acclimating to a new lifestyle that is dramatically different from what they have experienced.  

More Resources

There are many resources available to help every student succeed. We have compiled a list to help students prepare for important tests, plan for college, choose a career, and find other sources of financial aid. 

SmartUp Houston College & Career Conference

The SmartUp Houston College & Career Conference will help students connect the dots between what to study on a 2-year or 4-year college campus and the required skills to secure current and future well-paying jobs in multiple industries.  Students have a perfect opportunity to interact with educational institutions and employers on site and begin to chart a viable career path while minimizing debt.  

Volunteer Opportunities

Your time is a gift to students with a burning desire to attend college and pursue a well-paying career. These young people can reach and exceed their potential with your support, encouragement and example. Volunteers are an essential part of our selection process and program implementation.  Click the link below to find more information on how you can help us create our future workforce. 

Ongoing Support and Guidance

 As Lorelle Scholars begin their higher education journey, it is imperative that they receive ongoing guidance and support in order to maximize the opportunities they are afforded. The first point of contact is the LLSF Program Coordinator who is available to marshall necessary resources should they run into some hurdles along the way. This support ranges from the occasional "how are you doing?" phone call and cards of encouragement to alerting the Board when a scholar is experiencing significant academic or financial challenges. Each scholar is required to submit a tuition request at the beginning of every semester to receive their funds. This allows us to monitor their progress in school and provide support as needed. The goal is to help our scholars succeed in college and in life by providing them a wide range of support and advice; from time management tips to assistance in a job search and everything in between, we are there for them.