Saura Senior Scoop
Counselor Updates for South Stokes Sauras - 12/13/2013
South Stokes Counseling Office
Christina Sawyer, Counselor 9th & 11th Grade
Lynn Wright, Secretary
Jill Tuttle, PowerSchool Data Manager
Email: johnna.cheek@stokes.k12.nc.us
Website: http://southstokes.weebly.com/
Location: 1100 South Stokes High Drive, Walnut Cove, NC, United States
Phone: 336-994-2995
New Format!
Enjoy!
Financial Aid Night
Monday, Jan 27, 2014, 06:00 PM
South Stokes High School, Meadows, NC, United States
NEWS
Community College Placement Test Update
Finished???
Make sure you're completing the steps necessary to achieve your goals. I've started meeting with all seniors for an update on their status and offer any assistance if needed. Please contact me if you have questions, concerns, or need help with researching your options, completing applications, or securing funding for college.
I've already heard students say they're suffering from senioritis, but we're not quite halfway there yet. Persevere - don't give in to laziness!
Decisions, Decisions!
Denial/Deferral Letters
- Read the letter carefully! Is the school requesting additional documents like first semester grades, additional college entrance test scores, or other documents in order to re-consider your application?
- Evaluate why you might have been denied admission. Are your grades and test scores in line with those of students typically admitted to the school.
- If you think you are a very competitive candidate and should have been admitted, don't be afraid to call the Admission Counselor in charge of our school for feedback.
- Consider what your back-up schools are and make sure you've completed your application and submitted all supporting documents by the next deadline.
- If you were denied admission into your dream school consider whether you want to attend a community college and complete a transfer degree, applying for admission again once you've completed the transfer degree.
- Don't give up! There are many options available and this might just not be the right one for you.
Acceptance Letters
- Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
- Read your acceptance letter carefully. Are there forms that need to be submitted? Do you need to create an online account?
- You shouldn't have to commit to a school until around April 1 unless you applied Early Action. Again, read your letter carefully!
- Some schools may ask for a housing deposit if you are planning to live on campus. Consider this carefully! If you KNOW this is the school you want to attend (or it's high on your list), submitting your housing deposit will get your name on the list for preferred housing earlier. Most of these deposits will be non-refundable so if you're not sure you want to attend this school, you may want to wait until you've decided where you plan to enroll.
- If possible, plan to visit the schools you're admitted to again before making your final decision. Remember to stop students on college campuses and ask about their experiences, likes, and dislikes. You're going to be spending a lot of time taking classes, socializing, and living in a new environment. While you can never be 100% sure you're making the right decision until you're there, do all that you can to gather information and get a "feel" for which school is the place for you.
- Look for tentative (or estimated) financial aid award letters. Knowing what your costs will be might play into your final decision. (These may not arrive until after you complete the FAFSA).
- Once you make your final decision and commit to a school plan to attend their orientation and registration sessions which are usually held in late spring or summer. Try to register for the earliest orientation/registration session as possible as it may give you a better chance at getting the classes you want.
- Bring me a copy of that acceptance letter (or let me make a copy) and help me "decorate" our school with your accomplishments!
If you have any questions about the letter you receive or your next steps, don't hesitate to come by and let me help!
Prepare for the FAFSA
To complete the FAFSA you will need:
- 2013 tax information for parents and students (preferably completed tax forms), W-2s, and other records of money earned in 2013
- Social Security numbers for student and parent
- Bank statements and investment information
If you want to get a "sneak peek" at how much your family is estimated to be able to pay for college, use the FAFSA4caster at https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1.
We'll talk more about the FAFSA at the FINANCIAL AID NIGHT on January 27 and talk about opportunities available to get assistance with completing this important step in obtaining financial aid.
SCHOLARSHIPS
New Opportunities
NCAE Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship - This scholarship is for North Carolina high school seniors and is awarded based on character, community involvement, and scholastic achievement. For complete details and an application, visit http://www.ncae.org/wp-content/uploads/MLKScholarship-Application2013-14.pdf. Deadline is March 31.
North Carolina Teacher Cadet and/or FTA - NCAE Scholarship - Students who have completed a NC Teacher Cadet Program or who is an active member with our FTA chapter and who have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to major in education may apply for this scholarship. Interested students must submit an application, transcript, and three letters of recommendation by January 31. Information, guidelines and applications are available at https://ncfpsc.org/Scholarships_2014.html.
B. Davis Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is available to high school juniors and seniors. Applicants must write an essay of less than 1000 words on this topic: "Pick a controversial issue on high school or college/university campuses and suggest a solution." Submissions should be sent to awards@studentawards.com along with your name, school, and future plans. For complete details, visit http://www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm.
Previously Advertised
Suntrust Off to College Scholarship Sweepstakes - IT'S TIME TO REGISTER AGAIN!
https://www.suntrusteducation.com/ScholarshipSweepstakes/index.html
Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship
The Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship application is now available online at www.cfnc.org/brooks. ALL students planning to enroll at UNCG, NC State, or UNC-Chapel Hill should seriously consider applying for this scholarship. Recipients will be awarded scholarships worth at least 1/2 of the cost of their college education and are eligible for travel stipends, internships, a computer allowance, and much more. Selection is based on financial need, academic merit, leadership, and character. Students applying MUST submit the application AND THE FAFSA by January 31, 2014. Seventeen students from fourteen counties in North Carolina will be awarded this scholarship and usually AT LEAST one student from Stokes County is selected for this award. Get started on this application right away. You can't complete the FAFSA until January 1st at the earliest, but go ahead and take care of other application materials now.
Jagannathan Scholarships
Awarded to students planning to attend a public university in North Carolina. Selection criteria includes academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular activities, and financial need. Deadline is February 15. Learn more or apply at CFNC by clicking here.
Crumley Roberts Founder’s Scholarship & Next Step Scholarship
Minimum GPA of 2.5, two letters of recommendation and 1,000 word essay. Submit materials by March 1, 2014. Application is available at www.crumleyroberts.com.
Golden Leaf Scholarships
Plan to attend a participating college in NC and have financial aid as determined by the FAFSA. For more information see CFNC Scholarship Page.
Meredith College Teaching Fellow Program – Learn more at www.meredith.edu/teachfel
Bloodstock Scholarship Challenge – Coordinate a blood drive. Information at www.redcrossblood.org/southeastdivision/bloodstock. Ends January 15
AXA Achievement Scholarships - http://www.axa-equitable.com/axa-foundation/about.html.
Jerry McGee Endowed Scholarship
http://www.nchsaa.org/pages/937/Jerry-McGee-Scholarship/, see Mrs. Cheek or Coach Adams by February 1st.
Charlie Adams Endowed Scholarship
http://forms.nchsaa.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Scholarships&-loadframes. Due date February 14.
Wilburn Clary Student Medal
http://forms.nchsaa.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Scholarships&-loadframes. Due February 14.
Richard & Elizabeth Dean
www.dar.org, click on SCHOLARSHIPS. Due Feb 15.
Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship
www.dar.org, click on SCHOLARSHIPS. Due Feb 15.
The Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship
www.dar.org, click on SCHOLARSHIPS. Due Feb 15.
Nursing Scholarships from DAR National Society
www.dar.org, click on SCHOLARSHIPS. Due Feb 15.
North Carolina Society Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
Applications are available from Mrs. Cheek and are due to the state office by February 15.
Mel Hughes Scholarship – Alegacy FCU members. Apply at http://www.allegacyfcu.org/home/educational/youth/scholarships by March 14, 2104
Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) - North Carolina high school students planning to work in a field determined to be a critical employment shortage profession who has a 3.0 weighted GPA are eligible to apply for these forgivable loans. For complete details and applications, visit www.cfnc.org/FELS. Deadline is April 1.
FOR EVEN MORE, CHECK OUT the SSHS Scholarship List.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 19 - Forsyth Tech Orientation for students taking a Forsyth Tech course in Spring 2014 (5:00-6:30 pm at Northwest Center in King)
December 20 - Early Dismissal
December 27 - Registration Deadline for January 25 SAT
December 21-January 1 - No school for studentsJanuary 10-16 - Exams for First Semester
January 17 - Teacher Workday
January 20 - HOLIDAY
January 21 - Beginning of Second Semester
January 23 - Report Cards
January 27 - 6:00 pm - FINANCIAL AID NIGHT (SSHS Library)
February 22 - FAFSA DAY 9:00 am - Noon @ sites around NC (Register at CFNC.org)
February Date TBD - FAFSA Night @ SSHS
March 26 & 27 - Community College Placement Test Re-test