Senior Newsletter
March Edition
Dear Parents and Seniors,
Check out the new Senior Newsletter format!!! In an attempt to make the newsletter more attractive and updated for students and families, I will be moving to this format of a newsletter. The newsletter will still be sent to students via email and printed copies will also still be available in the office. I welcome any feedback, or suggestions on how to improve the newsletter, make them more worthwhile, and more user friendly! Thanks :)
Even though we are approaching spring break and the school year is almost over there is still a lot to do to complete your last year of high school. Hopefully, you have submitted the FAFSA. If you haven’t already done so call the financial aid office of the schools you are applying to and find out their FAFSA priority deadline date. Even if you have missed it--send the application in anyway! Be sure to submit it electronically in order to speed up the processing time.
If you have been accepted to several colleges, but have not yet decided which one you will attend, it is important that you "get on the road" during spring break and visit those campuses. A campus visit is the best way to learn about the unique qualities of the school. Colleges should be informed of your decision to attend or not attend their institution by May 1, 2016.
A form has been included in this newsletter and must be completed by seniors who have received scholarships whether you accept the award or not. This ensures you will be recognized for all of your achievements in the commencement booklet. The total amount will be announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, May 26. Complete and turn in the Scholarships/Awards Summary to the Guidance Office by Wednesday, May 4.
Advanced Placement Testing
In May, Talawanda High School will begin to administer Advanced Placement exams. The exams will be given at Professional Development Center (formerly the Nelson-Morrow Building) off of Chestnut. Any questions regarding AP testing can be directed to your AP teacher or Mrs. Stanger, 273-3221.
These tests provide students who have taken AP classes with the following opportunities:
1. earn college credit.
2. reduce college costs because AP credit is probably going to be the least expensive college credit you can receive.
3. Increase one’s advantage for admission at most colleges.
4. take advantage of the fact that some colleges/universities increase the honor points for AP courses taken in high school in order to enter their university honors program.
Meet the Counselors
Mrs. Linda Stanger (H-O)
Mrs. Savannah Schwegman (P-Z)
Website: https://www.talawanda.org/guidance/ths
Location: Oxford, OH, United States
Phone: 513-273-3218
Scholarship Corner
College/University Scholarships
Every school sponsors scholarships for students who apply to that particular institution. Because of the overwhelming number of university scholarships that are mailed to the Guidance Office, it is impossible to list all of them. For this reason, it is important that students come into the Guidance Office and look through our extensive files. Students should select scholarships based upon their school of choice, personal needs and qualifications.
Local Scholarships
Local scholarship application packets are now available in the guidance office! Stop by and pick up a packet and ask a counselor for a copy of your transcript. Don't miss out on this opportunity to receive MONEY! Deadline to apply is Monday March 21, 2016.
Scholarship/Awards Summary- We ask that all students complete the enclosed scholarships/awards summary sheet and list all awards they have been offered, whether they accept them or not. This ensures all students are recognized for their achievements in the graduation commencement booklet. The School Counseling office is required to announce the total amount of scholarship money offered to the class of 2106.
General Scholarships
AAA Ohio School Safety Patrol Grant Award Program - seniors who served on School Safety Patrol Squad. Criteria: application, 500-word essay. Amount: ten $1000 grants. Application Deadline: March 29, 2016. Application Instructions: For further information see scholarship files in Guidance office.
Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program- awarding up to $1,000 to the winner(s) each year. Scholarship Deadline - June 10, 2016. Students will submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of our web site: http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm Full details are available on our site.
A. K. Stephenson Foundation Charitable Trust- Grants based on need, academic performance and extracurricular activities. Qualified students will be selected by the Foundational Scholarship Grant Committee and are to be used for tuition, or room and board. Applications available in the guidance office. Application deadline: May 30, 2016.
Altrusa International Inc. - Offering four (4) $500.00 scholarships to graduating seniors living in Butler County. Applicants should be in the top 25% of their class, be of good character, and demonstrate leadership. Applications are available in the school counseling office. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2016. Visit www.Altrusa.org for more information.
Athnet Sports Recruiting Scholarship – scholarship available to students who were athletes in high school, you do not need to be an athlete at the college level. Eligibility: former high school athletes who are enrolled as a full-time student at a two or four year college. Application instructions: (http://www.athleticscholarships.net/scholarship-contest.htm) Application deadline: May 1, 2016.
BigSun Scholarship- offering an annual $500.00 scholarship to a deserving young athlete to help them succeed in their academic pursuits. The successful applicant will be a high school senior and currently be involved in some sport at that institution or in the community. Visit http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. Deadline is June 17, 2016.
Butler County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship- offering $1,000 scholarships to seniors interested in becoming teachers or majoring in the field of education. Applications are available in the guidance office. Applications should be mailed to Dianne Aiken, 5551 Mississippi Dr. Fairfield, OH 45014. Any questions call 513.868.2999 or see Mrs. Schwegman in the guidance office. Deadline to apply: March 28, 2016
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation - scholarship funds available to students who meet the requirements of those funds. Criteria: application, transcript, must complete FAFSA; submit your Student Aid Report (SAR) which comes to you as a result of having filed the FAFSA. Award Amount: variable. Application Deadline: applications located in THS Guidance Office or online at www.cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org; due on or before April 30, 2016.
Hotelscheap.org Scholarship- private scholarship opportunity for students who demonstrate a strong aptitude for learning, and have a drive to improve themselves and society in general. Two scholarships are given each year and valued at $1500.00. Visit http:www/hotelscheap.org/scholarship for more information.
Janice M. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund- $2,500 scholarship available to high school seniors who show an economic need. Family adjusted gross income must be $50,000 or less to apply. Must be a U.S Citizen, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate leadership and planning to attend a full time 4 year university. Application is available in the school counseling office. Deadline: March 31, 2016
Joe Nuxhall Foundation Scholarship - Two $1,000 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors. Qualified students must have GPA 3.0 or better, write an essay based on the 6 areas of criteria (see application in office), and be able to attend an awards luncheon. Deadline to apply Monday April 1, 2016. Turn essays into Mrs. Schwegman in School Counseling Office.
McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Nursing Scholarships – awards given to high school senior enrolling in an accredited nursing program. Eligibility: must reside in hospital service area. Criteria: application; transcript through midyear of the senior year/or most recent grade transcript; three (3) letters of recommendation; GPA, rank, ACT/SAT scores or GED; demonstrated leadership ability & motivation; 500-word personal essay of need, goals, personal qualities and/or experience; level of possbility (no obligation) to work part-time at MHMH. Amount: multiple scholarships of $3000. Application Instructions: See Guidance scholarship files for application and further details. Application Deadline: April 1, 2016
Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers- 2016 James Kura Memorial Scholarship Contest awards three $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors attending a 4 year accredited college. More information available on website, www.oacdl.org Deadline; March 15, 2016.
The Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools 2015-16 Legislative Scholarship Program – offers over 400 scholarships for seniors who attend one of Ohio’s career colleges and schools to obtain the education and training necessary to get a job in an Ohio business or industry. Available scholarships can be found in the OACCS scholarship booklet in the Guidance Office or visit www.ohiocareeracolleges.org. Additional scholarship brochures, Nomination Forms and Applications are also available on the web site under Scholarships. Eligibility: senior graduating June 2013, “C” average; nominated by a current member of the Ohio legislature; scholarships are for diploma, certificate, and associate degree programs; can apply for up to 3 scholarships. Criteria: application, essay. Award: Variable. Application Deadline: must receive by April 9, 2016.
Peter Pasula Study Habits Scholarship- $500.00 Award. To be eligible:
- Be attending an accredited post-secondary institution by the fall of 2016.
- A student can be enrolled at any level in any program that is two years in length or longer.
- Students must answer the essay question on the website online application form.
Applications can be found at http://mortgagebrokerscoquitlam.com Deadline is April 1st, 2016.
Studentscholarships.org- Several scholarships available for graduating seniors, please see counselor for more information or visit www.studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php
Student-View Scholarship- Offers $11,000 worth in scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college, community/junior college or career school. Visit www.student-view.com for more information. Deadline: April 22, 2016
Snyder Career Development Scholarship – Eligibility: must be enrolled in a school district within the Butler Tech Careers Technical Planning District, graduating senior, must have taken at least three Family and Consumer Science classes, (one of which may be a middle school class), must demonstrate plans for pursuing post-secondary education in the upcoming school year. Amount: $500. Application: Submit Portfolio/Passport and application to the Career Initiatives office, (Return to Mrs. Schwegman). Passport must include: Resume, Career Essay, College Essay and /or 21st Century Skills questions, Transcript and one letter of recommendation. Interview by a team consisting of three to four members from Butler Tech, the local business community and /or local college. Deadline: March 24, 2016 to Mrs. Schwegman.
Talawanda Memorial Brick Scholarship - $300 Scholarship established by the Talawanda School District endowed from the proceeds of the brick sales from the old Talawanda High School to support students wishing to attend a four year institution or vocational school. Must have 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, enrolled full time, have 95% daily attendance, and no discipline records. Application is available in the school counseling office. Deadline : March 21, 2016
Three Valley Conservation Trust- Non-profit organization that a partners with people and communities to conserve the natural environment and cultural heritage. $1,000 scholarship awarded to a senior pursuing a career that relates to the mission of the trust. Applications are in the guidance office. Deadline: April 15, 2016
Quest Bridge National College Match- connects outstanding students from low-income backgrounds with admission and four year scholarships to the nation’s best colleges. Visit www.questbridge.org/refer-a-student. Applicants must meet the following:
- In top 5-10% of class, taking challenging courses
- Come from households earning less than $60,000
- Qualify for schools free and reduced lunch
Varsity Tutors - monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest where students write an essay in response to a monthly prompt. Visitors to the Varsity Tutors scholarship webpage are able to vote via social media for submitted entries. The top five entries with the most votes are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month and one winner is subsequently chosen to receive the $1,000 college scholarship. Interested students can enter the contest here: http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Scholarship - students pursuing education beyond high school to accredited college, technical, or vocational school. Eligibility: U.S citizen. Criteria: community involvement, financial need, character, academic achievement, veterans and their family members/dependents. Further criteria listed in application. Amount: variable. Deadline: received by April 9, 2016. Applications available in the Guidance office.
Wace National Scholarship Program- University specific scholarships for students having a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and applying for 2016-2017 admission at one of the WACE Partner Institutions. Apply online at www.waceinc.org
Willam D. Squires Educational Foundation, Inc.- 15 scholarships offered to Ohio seniors based on financial need. ERF on FAFSA Student Aid Report must be less than 8,000 to apply. Applicants must have a minimum of 3.2 GPA and know career goal. Visit www.wmdsquiresfoundation.org for more information. Deadline: April 5, 2016.
Scholarships/Awards Summary
Student Name__________________________________
You must list all of the scholarships and awards you have received whether you accept them or not. This ensures you will be recognized for all of your achievements at graduation in the commencement booklet. The Guidance Office is required to announce the total amount of scholarship money issued to the Class of 2015. This total will be announced at the graduation on May 28th and the Senior Awards program on May 26. Your cooperation in completing this form is very important. Complete and turn in the Scholarships/Awards Summary to the Guidance Office by Friday, May 6, 2016!
Name of Scholarship Amount of Award
(indicate if the award is renewable or one time)
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