Counseling Department Newsletter
Canon-McMillan High School/January 2023
Top Tips to Prioritize Your Mental Health in 2023
10 Resolutions For a Successful Academic New Year
Financial Aid
Missed Financial Aid Night?
PHEAA Offerings
PHEAA News:
· Students looking to have their 2023-24 PA State Grant eligibility reconsidered may need to submit a Student Special Consideration Form, available at PHEAA.org/Forms, with accompanying documentation to PHEAA by April 1, 2024.
PA Forward Student Loans: Decisions vs. Costs
The Financial Offer Letters and balances can be confusing, but there’s help. PHEAA offers webinars on these topics and PHEAA’s PA Forward Loan Program can assist with meeting the gap in aid to help families afford education. Share PHEAA.org/virtual and PHEAA.org/paforward with your student’s families to help ease the process.
Industry News:
How College Costs & Student Loan Borrowing Have Changed Over Time
The COVID 19 pandemic has had some impact on the cost of college.
The average net cost of attendance at public 4-year schools has declined to $19,250 for the current school year, after adjustment for inflation. Private nonprofit colleges also saw a decrease in their cost of attendance, falling to $32,800. A household’s share of student debt has also fallen as mortgage debt has outpaced student loan debt since the beginning of the pandemic.
Resources:
The PACAC Scholarship
The Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) offers the PACAC Scholarship to high school seniors graduating from PACAC member schools, with the goal of supporting Pennsylvania students in their postsecondary educational goals. The selection criteria includes:
- Academic performance, financial need & commitment to furthering postsecondary education
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- At least one member of the secondary school counseling office, or community-based organization, must be a current PACAC member
Students who work with an Independent Educational Consultant who holds PACAC membership may also apply. The application deadline is February 1, 2023. Four one-time, nonrenewable scholarships will be awarded: 1 for $1,500, and 3 for $1,000. For more information and an application, visit www.pacac.org/pacac-scholarship.
The PACAC Scholarship flyer can be viewed here.
Webinar FAFSA Simplification
Join us on January 18, 2023, as we discuss the FAFSA Simplification Act, which passed on December 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. We will provide an overview of the significant changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA and what these changes may mean for students and families when applying for financial aid. Register at PHEAA.org/virtual.
Events
AP Potential Assembly
College Board uses AP Potential, an online tool, that allows schools to generate rosters of students who are likely to score a 3 or higher on a given AP Exam based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. The students who are called down to the assembly will be pooled from all of the 10th and 11th grade students who were present in school on 10/12/22 and took the PSAT/NMSQT. Students are able to access AP Potential information in your College Board dashboard.
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2023, 07:45 AM
CMHS Auditorium
Pittsburgh National College Fair
Three sessions:
February 8, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
February 8, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
February 9, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
There is no cost to attend.
Click here to register.
Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023, 09:00 AM
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Class of 2023 Application Support
Applications Update!
According to Form Your Future, 302 FAFSAs have been completed by Canon-McMillan students and parents. There is still time to finalize postsecondary plans and apply-if your student needs assistance, please reach out to your student's counselor. Many colleges have FAFSA completion deadlines, so be sure to check out expectations from them.
Transcript Release Form
Remember, students will still have to communicate where transcripts should be sent. This will occur in Xello.
Transcript Requests in Xello
Requesting Recommendations in Xello
Syncing the Common Application with Xello
Resumes
Postsecondary Planning
The Top 10 Most-Regretted College Majors--and the Degrees Graduates Wish They Had Pursued Instead
Even with college application season in full swing, many families are questioning whether a four-year degree is still worth it.
Some experts say the value of a bachelor’s degree is fading and more emphasis should be directed toward career training. A growing number of companies, including many in tech, are also dropping degree requirements for many middle-skill and even higher-skill roles. Click here to read more. source:cnbc.com
Building the Future with Rewarding Careers
Research local and nationwide trade schools in your area of interest and apply to the best fit for you right here at www.ApplyToTradeSchool.com.
7 Benefits of Going to Trade School
- Lower Cost.
- Faster Graduation Timeline.
- Fewer Admission Requirements.
- Small Class Sizes.
- Real-World Experience.
- Job Assistance.
- Preparation for In-Demand Careers.
See the Average College Tuition in 2022-2023
The average college tuition cost has increased in the 2022-2023 academic year over the prior year across both public and private schools, according to U.S. News data based on an annual survey.
A college's sticker price is the amount advertised as the full rate for tuition and fees before financial need, scholarships and other aid are factored in. Net price is the amount that a family pays after aid and scholarships – usually offsetting the sticker price shock.
Everything You Need to Know About Community College:FAQ
Community colleges are primarily public higher education institutions that strive to provide affordable education that's accessible to all.
An associate degree, which takes about two years to complete full time, is usually the highest degree available, but community college students can also receive certificates and job training. Many students begin their postsecondary studies at community colleges before transferring to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree. Click here to learn more. source:USNews.com
College Planning Timeline for Juniors
College may be a few years away for high school juniors, but it’s never too early to start planning. Here’s a college planning timeline for juniors. Click here to learn more. source:Xello.com
5 College Admissions Officers on Their Best Tips for Applicants
How your Social Media Accounts Affect Getting Into College
Common Reasons College Applications Get Rejected
As the volume of college applications continues to increase, admissions officers have tough decisions to make when it comes to filling limited seats.
In a competitive admissions environment, students may be rejected from schools where they could thrive, says Eddie Pickett III, senior associate dean and director of recruitment at Pomona College in California. Click here to learn more. source: USnews.com
Scholarships
Community Scholarship Foundation of Canon-McMillan
Sage Scholars Tuition Rewards program
Tuition Reward Points accrue like frequent flyer miles and are typically earned through an affiliated financial institution, health insurance, or employer. These include 529 plans, banks, brokerage firms, companies, credit unions, mutual funds, non-profits and diverse financial service companies involved in life insurance, health insurance or retirement plans. Your Tuition Rewards Points represent guaranteed minimum discounts off the "list price" of tuition at many of America's best private colleges. Click here to learn more. source:tuitionrewards.com
RaiseMe
Mental Health
Beyond "You Good?" 8 Simple Ways to Support Your Friends and Family with their Mental Health Journey
Student Assistance Program
Teen Mental Health: How to Know When Your Child Needs Help
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help
General Information
Are you Moving? How To Ensure PowerSchool Is Up To Date
School Counseling Resources Group
Every high school student is encouraged to join the School Counseling Resources group in Schoology! Resources including academic development, career development, employment, community service opportunities, scholarships and more can be found there! Students can join the group by using the following access code: DB7QW-K4WWP
Registering with the Selective Service
Selective Service registration is required by law as the first part of a fair and equitable system that, if authorized by the President and Congress, would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors. By registering, a young man remains eligible for jobs, Federal student aid, State-based student aid in 31 states, Federally-funded job training, and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men. Registration begins at age 18. Click here to learn more and register.
Work Permits
Resources
Bully Prevention
Counseling Department
Counselors
A-Dea Karen Rubican rubicank@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5022
Deb-Hog Susan Humbertson humbertsons@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5020
Hoh--Mik Nadia Abbondanza abbondanzan@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5027
Mil-Set Julie Hughes hughesj@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5023 (starting 10/17)
Seu-Z Molly Nuri nurim@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5021