Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER & OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN
Work Hard for the $$$
Without a doubt, the number one question I receive each year from parents and students alike is how to pay for college- scholarships? grants? loans? family contributions? While this is not an easy conversation to have, it is necessary in order to make proper plans for the future. Without knowing how to pay for your future plans, there is little you can do to move forward. I wish there was an easy answer to this burning question. A majority of the time, it takes a combination of funding sources to make college plans a reality.
The greatest factor in being successful in securing the means to pay for school is one major thing- hard work! Hard work in your studies to align you for merit scholarships. Hard work on the field to align you for athletic or performance scholarships. Hard work volunteering in the school & community to make you eligible for more scholarships. Hard work at your job saving for school. Hard work filling out the scholarship applications to make yourself eligible for more money. It's never too late to start working hard.
"Don’t give up. The beginning is always the hardest. Life rewards those who work hard at it."
It's FAFSA time!
Ready or not, the FAFS opened on October 1, 2018. The earlier you can complete the FAFSA, the more opportunity to receive aid.
What is the FAFSA?
You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA to be scholarship eligible. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid. The FAFSA is available in several formats, including online, PDF and paper versions. The best option is to complete the web-based version of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, known as FAFSA on the Web.
What are the changes to the FAFSA?
- The fafsa.gov website has been redesigned so that the site pages will fit the screen size and shape of any device, including desktop or laptop computers and mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets.
- The online FAFSA form will provide faster feedback. For example, students will receive error notifications as they complete the form's fields.
- The income threshold for an automatic-zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be increased from $25,000 to $26,000 for the 2019–20 award year.
The first step in completing the FAFSA is creating an FSA ID. During Connect on October 3rd, you received instructions on how to create the FSA ID. Below is a video to assist in you in that process.
Need Help Completing the FAFSA?
The North Alabama Center for Education Excellence (NACEE) offers free help in filling out the FAFSA at their location in Huntsville. For those who would like help a little close to home, we will host a NACEE representative on Thursday, October 18th here at Athens High School. This will be the only time that he will be coming to AHS during the fall. You can sign up to meet with him HERE. Meetings will last for 30 minutes. Have both parent & student FSA completed and bring your 2017 tax returns.
FAFSA Completion 101
Need a Recommendation?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Don't assume they will write one for you- ask.
- Choose someone with whom you've had a positive relationship.
- Provide them with a resume, what or who the recommendation is for, and when you need it completed.
- Let them know if it is to be returned to you or if they are to mail it. If they are to mail it, please provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- Don't rush in the day before the deadline. Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable. The more time allow, the more thoughtful your recommendation will be.
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
Balfour Meeting during CONNECT
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2018, 11:15 AM
AHS cafeteria
FAFSA Assistance Meetings
Thursday, Oct 18, 2018, 08:30 AM
Athens High School
Balfour ORDERS
Thursday, Nov 1, 2018, 11:30 AM
AHS lunchroom
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
College & military recruiters will be visiting throughout the year. They will be setting up tables during lunch outside of the lunchroom & Guidance Office. Make a point to go speak to the recruiters. Get your questions answered while you can!
COMING SOON…
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM- Tuesday, October 23rd
ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY- Monday, November 5th
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA- Tuesday, November 6th
FALL PREVIEW DAYS
Fall Preview Days are a great way to see many facets of a college or university. Go to a school's website to sign up online to participate in their preview day. If you cannot make the preview day, then sign up online for a tour of campus. If the preview day or campus visit takes place on a weekday, make sure to fill out a College Visit form in advance so that absence does not affect your attendance. College Visit forms can be picked up in the attendance office.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Monday, October 22nd
Monday, November 5th
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Saturday, October 29
Monday, November 12
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Saturday, October 20th
Saturday, November 3rd
Saturday, February 23rd
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
Saturday, November 10th
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN BIRMINGHAM
Saturday, November 3rd
Saturday, February 23rd
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
Saturday, November 10th
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
Saturday, September 29th
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
Monday, October 29th
Monday, November 12th
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI (OLE MISS)
Saturday, October 27th
Saturday, December 1st
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
Saturday, November 10th
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
Monday, November 12th
Friday, April 26th
Interested in taking the SAT?
Upcoming test dates...
November 3, 2018
December 1, 2018
March 9, 2019
May 4, 2019
June 1, 2019
Sign up at www.collegeboard.org
John Baylor Prep's On To College
Login information is available in the Guidance Office or by clicking HERE.
Sign up for the ACT at actstudent.org
- October 27, 2018
- December 8, 2018
- February 9, 2019
- April 13, 2019
- June 8, 2019
- July 13, 2019
Register at www.actstudent.org
Don't miss registration deadlines!
Could you use some extra ACT prep? Check out the opportunity below. The October ACT is your last chance to get your ACT up before some scholarship deadlines.
Need a Transcript?
All schools that you apply to will require that you send an official transcript which must be sent directly from Athens High School. Most scholarships will require a transcript as well. The Transcript Request Form is located in the Guidance Department or on the AHS Website. Turn the form into Mrs. LL Smith or Ms. Ramona Malone.
Please allow ample time for the transcript to be processed. It will often take up to two weeks for colleges to process transcripts.
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
SCHOLARSHIPS
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order. This section will continue to grow throughout the year. Keep an eye out as new information is listed. If you see a scholarship that you are interested in and need an application, those are available in the scholarship box in the Guidance Office.
- This year, 100 scholarships ranging from $500 all the way up to $5,000 will be given away though the Wendy's Heisman Scholarship program. Eligibility begins with maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better. Applicants also need to be proven leaders and role models within their school and community. And applicants must perform in at least one of the 47 school sponsored sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games or the National Federation of State High School Associations. Apply today at www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com. Deadline is October 17, 2018 3pm.
- The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Awards can go up to $10,000. Students can apply at www.scholars.horatioalger.org. Deadline is October 25, 2018.
- The Smith Scholarship Foundation provides assistance to high school seniors who have "given back" to their community through volunteer activities or care of family while overcoming financial and personal challenges. SSF provide up to $15,000 a year in financial assistance plus opportunities for study abroad, professional training through its Internship Program. Visit their website for an application and additional information at www.smithscholarships.com. Deadline is January 7, 2019.
- The National Co Op Scholarship Program is for students interested in attending one of these 10 schools: Clarkson U, Drexel U, Johnson & Wales U, Merrimack U, Rochester IT, State U of NY Oswego, U of Cincinnati, U of Mass. Lowell, U of Toledo, Wentworth IT. You must have a 3.5 GPA and apply to one of the schools above. Awards range from $6,000 to $30,000 over 4 years. Applications available at www.waceinc.org. Deadline is February 15, 2019.
- The Athena League recognizes the importance of academic achievement, need, extracurricular activities and community involvement, thus establishing the Athena League Trent-Crutcher Scholarship. The award is a one-time $1,500 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2019 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Applications are available in the Guidance Department.Deadline is March 15, 2019.
- Enter the Suntrust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 30 $500 scholarships. Two $500 scholarship winners will be randomly chosen every two weeks. You can enter once each drawing period from September 10, 2018- May 13, 2019. Enter to win at www.suntrust.com/offtocollege.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
- TROY University's Informational Meeting for the Huntsville/North Alabama area is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th from 6:00 - 8:00PM at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa. The address is 800 Monroe St SW Huntsville, AL 35801. The meeting will include a meet and greet session, presentation by our admissions office, Q&A open discussion from audience, as well as private Q&A opportunity to assist you as you prepare to be part of the Trojan Family! To register for this event, please go to troy.edu/tours.
INFORMATION FROM YEARBOOK...
SENIOR ADS
SENIOR PORTRAITS
YEARBOOK SALES
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Athens High School
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613