Lawson College & Career Center
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In This Newsletter
- Upcoming Events
- FAFSA Information
- Graduation 2024 & Senior Info (Senior Dues Link, Prom Tickets, Senior Week Info)
- Scholarships
- TN Promise (updated community service info)
- Nashville State Community College Opportunities **NEW**
- Resources
- Lawson Counseling Staff
Upcoming Events
- College Prep 101: Navigating the Transition from High School to Higher Education (Webinar hosted by external organization) -- every Monday at 7pm -- sign up here
- Credit Recovery Day @ Lawson - April 26th -- Any off track seniors should stay with Ms. Swift in room 305 following the senior breakfast on Friday to complete any remaining credit recovery.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
2024-2025 FAFSA Form is live - access it here!
Complete it no later than April 15th to be eligible for the most state and federal aid!
How to prepare for the FAFSA?
- Create your FSA ID (username for the FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov
- Gather your financial information from the tax year 2022
- Parents/Guardians: What will you need for the FAFSA
What types of aid can you get after completing the FAFSA?
Financial Aid Offers from Colleges & Universities Delayed until April
While I'm sure this is disappointing news to hear, colleges will do everything they can to get accurate and complete offers out as soon as possible. I will continue to update the senior class as we learn more.
Important Senior Info
End of Year Schedule
- April 22-26: Senior Week
- April 27: Prom
- May 6-17: AP Exam window (link)
- May 7: Last full day of classes for seniors
- May 8-9: Senior Exams – 8th = A Day Exams; 9th = B Day Exams
- May 10: Make-up Exam Day and Senior Check Out
- May 17: Academy Field Day
- May 20: Senior Trip to Dollywood (see more info below)
- May 21 - 10am: Graduation Practice (mandatory!) @ Lawson
- May 21 - 6pm: Graduation @ Municipal Auditorium
Senior Week Activities
Tuesday, April 23: Senior Lunch (Anything but a backpack)
Wednesday, April 24: Senior Sunset with Movie (Pajama Day)
Thursday, April 25: Field Day (College Gear)
Friday, April 26: Senior Donuts -- seniors can sign out early after this
Friday, May 10: Senior Breakfast, Slideshow, Signing Day, & Senior Check Out
Tuesday, May 14: Senior Picnic @ Warner Park
Senior Signing Day
On Friday, May 10th we will celebrate where seniors are headed next whether that's college, technical school, military, or starting a career! Sign-up here by April 26th to be a part of the presentation!
Senior Dues
- $50 for each student for graduation and senior week activities - Click here to pay online!
First Lawson Prom!
- Prom will be held on Saturday, April 27th at James Lawson High School
- Tickets are on sale until April 19th -- purchase here for $55
- Please reach out to Ms. Shaver with any questions (ashley.shaver@mnps.org)
Senior Meetings - Class of 2024
Two senior meetings have been held on November 2nd and January 31st. We discussed senior week activities, final exams, good standing for prom, and senior dues.
Scholarships
- Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Scholarship $3,000 (3.0 GPA; attending a college in Middle TN; law, business, IT major) - Deadline: May 17
- Young Women in STEM Scholarship ($5,000) - Deadline: May 23
- O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Legacy Program (Resident of Edgehill or child/grandchild of an Edgehill resident) - Deadline: May 31 -- this application is on paper, please see Ms. Swift in room 305
- Ted & Holly Rollins Essay Scholarship ($5,000) - Deadline: June 1
- Avis Brebnor Memorial Award $500-1000 (underrepresented minority student) - Deadline: June 1
Scholarship Search Websites
TN Promise - Next Steps!
The TN Promise application deadline has passed. TN Promise Scholarship is a state funded award that allows for two years tuition free school at a TN Community College or Technical School.
Scholarship Requirements:
- Attend Mandatory TN Promise Meeting
- Complete FAFSA by May 15th
- Complete 8 hours of community service by July 1
Community Service Information:
- Up to 4 hours can be completed virtually through TNAchieves webinars
- Search for local volunteer opportunities on Hands on Nashville
- Unpaid internship hours or job shadowing can also be recorded as community service hours!
- Submit your community service hours online to be counted -- must have contact information for the person who supervised you (not a family member)
Upcoming Community Service Opportunities:
- Flat Creek Litter Cleanup (Bellevue) - Saturday, May 18 - register here
- BELL Garden Harvesting (Bellevue MS) - Saturdays in May & June - register here
- Classic Car Show @ Cheekwood - Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16 - register here
- Green Sweep Squad @ Centennial Park - Saturdays -- May 4 & June 1 - register here
- Radnor Lake Volunteer Day - Fridays -- May 24 & June 28 - register here
Summer Bridge Program
TN Achieves Summer Bridge Program is a free, 14-day program to help incoming college freshman start at a more college-ready level! Held at community colleges across the state, the tnAchieves Summer Bridge Program gives you the opportunity to gain college experience, meet professors and make new friends! More info in the flier below.
June 3-26th -- Monday-Thursday from 9am-1pm (lunch provided)
Registration is first-come, first-served! Sign up here: https://tnachieves.org/summer-programs/bridge/
Nashville State Community College Information
Nashville GRAD - Scholars Program
Nashville GRAD is a program specifically to support high school graduates from Davidson county at Nashville State. It offers:
- $300/semester for textbooks
- $100/month for gas or groceries
- Laptop check out
- Career & advisor support
- And more!
Find all information about the program here!
Summer Bridge Program
See all details on the flyer below.
ACT Information
Taking the ACT Again...? Fee Waivers
Parents must complete the MNPS Fee Waiver form to determine if students are eligible to receive College Application and ACT Fee Waivers. Once the form is completed and processed, counselors can see in their Infinite Campus if students qualify for a fee waiver and can provide that for college applications and ACT tests outside of school.
MNPS Fee Waiver Form Link: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict
Transcript Requests
Resources
- Request your transcript - https://bit.ly/LawsonTranscript
- Schedule an appointment with Ms. Swift - https://bit.ly/LawsonCollegeCareer
- Senior Year College Application Timeline - English | Spanish
- NCAA Eligibility Webinar Recording
ACT Prep Resources:
Fall Financial Aid Night Recording
Watch the recording of Lawson's Fall Financial Aid night to learn more about TN Financial Aid, Federal Financial Aid (including new information about FAFSA), as well as searching for scholarships!
Persist Nashville
Persist uses text based reminders for current high school seniors to stay on top of important deadlines, college milestones, and more! Sign-up to start receiving texting support!
James Lawson Counseling Staff
Linda Swift, College & Career Counselor
629-895-9443
Ashley Shaver, Lead Counselor
629-999-6948
Sally Wilson Harmening, BH/HS Academy Counselor
629-999-6978
Kevin Green, ADC/Engineering/VAPA Academy Counselor
629-999-6832
Wanda Howell, Freshman Counselor
629-999-6854
Daniel Mehus, Oasis College Connection Mentor
615-578-2367