The Counseling Department would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and start to the 2nd semester.

Arizona Community Foundation Scholarships will begin accepting applications this month. Scholarships are available for two-year and four-year colleges and universities, as well as technical and vocational schools. Seniors complete one application that will be used to match them to any available scholarships for which they may be eligible. Scholarships may be based on merit, financial need, geography, or demographic group. More information and the online application can be found at https://www.azfoundation.org/scholarship-seekers/.

If you need help searching for other scholarships, stop by and talk with Mr. Navarro in the Career Center.

The Phoenix Public Library's College Depot is a free college access center located at the Burton Barr Central Library. They offer virtual meetings and workshops on a variety of topics, including the following:

• Apprenticeships
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• College applications/Enrollment
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
• And more!

Don't miss out on academic, college/career, and social/emotional information from the Counseling Department, sign up for our REMIND messaging!

Text the following cohort-specific message to 81010:

Seniors message = @verrado23

Juniors message = @verrado24

Sophomores message = @verrado25

Freshmen message = @verrado26

We have also started one for our incoming freshmen class (Class of 2027) = @verrado27.

In December, current freshmen students selected their course requests for the 2023-24 school year. They were encouraged to discuss their course requests with their parents and have their parents sign their Course Selection Sheet. Freshmen met individually with their counselor to finalize their requests prior to Winter Break.

This month, current juniors and sophomores will complete their 2032-24 course selection process. Current juniors will have an Advisory lesson on January 10th in which they will receive their Course Selection Sheet and instructions for entering their course requests in StudentVue. They will begin meeting with their counselor via their English class on January 17th. Current sophomores are slated to have an Advisory lesson on January 17th and begin meeting with their counselor on January 23rd via English class.

It is important for students to choose classes (including alternates) that they are truly interested in and can balance with other commitments. Students should consider the level of the course (AP vs Honors vs general) and be aware if there are any prerequisite courses.

Students and parents are encouraged to discuss the course selections and sign the Course Selection Sheet prior to the student's meeting with their counselor.

There are only a few reasons we can change schedules so taking the time now to learn more about a class and think through their selections tends to save frustration and stress later. Questions regarding courses offered and course content can be found in the Course Description Book on our district's website, www.aguafria.org.

Seniors and families - Just a reminder that the FAFSA opened this past October (2022) for students applying for Fall 2023 college admissions. The sooner you complete the FAFSA the better! The colleges/universities have their own deadlines so be sure to check out their websites.

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans that can help you pay for college. It is also commonly used for state and institutional aid, including merit based scholarships. Learn more at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The filing process is FREE...if you are asked to pay any amount, you are on the wrong site!

The following are scholarship programs that you may be interested in.

• Learn more about the Earn to Learn Program, a matched savings scholarship program, at https://earntolearn.org/students-for-applicants/.

• Students can earn micro-scholarships on RaiseMe. Learn more at https://www.raise.me/.

• The BigFuture Scholarships (previously College Board Opportunity Scholarships) are open to current seniors and juniors. Learn more at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships.

The Phoenix Zoo is slated to host its Teen Career Conference on April 1st from 9 am - 1:30 pm. This is an opportunity to explore many different careers in animal science.

There will be speaker panels that include experts in Zoology, Conservation and Animal Husbandry. The speakers will offer insights into their career paths and advice on breaking into their respective fields.

Representatives from the Phoenix Zoo and other scientific and educational institutions in the area will be available to share information about their programs and opportunities for you to begin working toward your career right now. In addition, volunteer opportunities, camps and other programs will also be shared.

The College Board posted PSAT results online in December. Sophomores and juniors who took the October test can create an account (if they haven't already) to access their scores. To compliment the score report, students will get their actual test booklet back this month. Students can use both to get assistance on problems they missed. Learn more about your PSAT score at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores.

It is important for students to check their student emails on a regular basis. Your teachers, counselors, and other staff will use it to communicate with you so be sure to set aside time each day to read your emails.

Summer programs can be a great way to explore potential careers, learn about a college and/or gain leadership skills. You may want to check out some of the colleges you are interested in and/or specific college departments to see what they may have to offer. Here's an example of a couple summer programs:

• Arizona State University Summer Programs (including Barrett Summer Scholars and Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute) - https://eoss.asu.edu/access/programs

• University of Arizona (Phoenix Campus) Summer Scrubs Program (current 9th - 11th graders) - https://phoenixmed.arizona.edu/summerscrubs

  
  

January 17

Opioid Awareness and Prevention Event by the AZ Attorney General's Office

Hosted by the AFUHSD @ Millennium High School's Auditorium

6:00 - 7:00 PM

*Open to all families and community members

January 17 - 20

Class of 2024 ~ 2023-24 VHS Course Selection Meetings w/ Counselors

January 23 - 27

Class of 2025 ~ 2023-24 VHS Course Selection Meetings w/ Counselors

April 1

Phoenix Zoo's Virtual Teen Career Conference

9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

*Register at https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/virtual-teen-career-conference/

April 2

RMACAC Spring College Fair

@ ASU

12:00 - 2:00 PM

https://www.rmacac.org/phoenix

For our future freshmen, Class of 2027, we will host our annual Viper Showcase on January 25th. Information will be shared with students when the counselors visit their middle school but it will also posted on our school's website at www.aguafria.org/vhs. We are excited for all of you to join the Verrado Viper family and can't wait to see you on the 25th!

To apply to attend a West-MEC 2023-24 program, you must apply online at www.west-mec.edu. You and your parents must sign the Application Verification Form then you must return it to your counselor so we can complete our part.

The application and supplemental forms, if applicable, were due Thursday, December 22, 2022. Late applications will still be accepted; however, students will likely miss out on the initial allocation and be placed on a waitlist.

If you have a question about West-MEC, be sure to talk with your counselor.