VMHS College & Career Center

Weekly Update Vol. 13

Welcome!

We are excited about another great semester! Be on the lookout for future updates from the VMHS College & Career Center. It is our mission to serve our students and community to the best of our abilities. Please scroll all the way down to see all that the College & Career Centers have to offer and any upcoming events and deadlines.


Click HERE to see our calendar.

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VMHS Senior Awarded Piper Scholars Award

Congratulations to Jayda Hamilton! She is the recipient of the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Piper Scholars Award for 2021! This scholarship is highly competitive and only a select few win this honor each year. These four-year scholarships are awarded to academically promising and superior high school seniors residing in certain geographic areas of Texas.

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VMHS Senior Athletes Awarded the Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship

Congratulations Patriots! Marley Rokas, Joshua Velazquez, and Ariel Jupiter (not pictured) are outstanding Seniors and recipients of the Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship. These Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, teacher recommendations, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities and varsity sports as well as honors received and a personal narrative. These Seniors are real game-changers not only on the field or the court but in their academics too!

College Information Sessions for Juniors

Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams University Sessions

We're hosting two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process

  • Junior Jumpstart - April 20 at 8 pm EDT or April 22 at 8 pm EDT
  • Navigating and Belonging: A Special Session for First-Generation and Low-Income Students - May 24 at 8 pm EDT or May 26 at 8 pm EDT

Scholarship for Ages 14 - 19

We the Students Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline: April 15, 2021

The essay prompt this year is: What is the relationship between equality and justice?

Eligibility

The Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students who are no older than 19 and no younger than 14 as of the end of the Contest Period who (1) attend school in the United States, one of its territories or districts, or an American Armed Forces School Abroad, and (2) who are in grades 8 -12 attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, or (3) are enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program, or (4) are attending a home school program.

Submission Guidelines

Each submission must adhere to the topics and should fully answer the question and all sub-parts. Each submission must adhere to the word limits for each question (between 500 and 800 words), and must be submitted by 11:59 pm PT on April 15, 2021. Only online submissions will be accepted for the contest. Only one essay per student will be accepted.


The sixteen student winners will receive a total of $20,000 in scholarship prizes. More details including rules and regulations can be found on the website.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) at Veterans Memorial High School

Business Marketing & The School Store

VMHS Business Marketing and Sales Program of Study and the VMHS Store

Have You Been Accepted to Baylor?

Baylor Housing Application is now open

Seniors,

Acceptance letters and financial aid packages have started rolling out. If you have been accepted to Baylor, the house application is now open. Please select the link below to apply.

https://www.baylor.edu/cll/index.php?id=872046

SAT Testing Date has changed

Wednesday, March 24th, 8:30am

7618 Evans Road

San Antonio, TX

College Board has updated the date for SAT testing.

Don't Mess With Texas Scholarship Contest

Deadline: March 31, 2021, must be postmarked by 5:00 pm

The 2021 Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship Contest, in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, recognizes the achievements of high school seniors who have taken a leadership role to prevent litter in their school and/or community. Any Texas high school senior planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2021 and currently attending public, private, or home school in Texas may apply. One $5,000 Grand Prize scholarship and two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded this May 2021. Thank you to the 2021 scholarship sponsors: iHeart Media and Buc-ee’s.

http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org/education-overview/scholarships/

It's Acceptance Season!

Seniors: Acceptance and Award Letters

Seniors,

It is time to start wrapping up your senior year! As you receive acceptance letters and financial aid award letters, please be sure to upload them into Schoolinks. Schoolinks is located in your JISD student portal. The video tutorial below will help guide you and give you directions for the uploads.

College Application Manager for Students

Career Focus: Graphic Design

Graphic Designer Career Video

Local Graphic Design Programs

Upcoming College Events

Texan Tour

Tarleton State University is hosting four campus preview days this spring semester. Students will be able to speak with faculty and staff from academic departments, admissions, housing, financial aid, and scholarships. They will also have the opportunity to take a campus tour, view housing showrooms, and explore our Honors College, Corps of Cadets, and ROTC programs. Space is limited so students are encouraged to register early! Visit their website for more Texan Tour info.

Texan Tour Dates:

· April 9, 2021

· April 10, 2021

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Texas Tech Virtual Visits

VIRTUAL TECHSAN EXPERIENCE

Come join us for our Virtual Techsan Experience. This event will allow you to experience a live tour around campus, visiting some of Texas Tech's most famous spots! This tour will include visiting Jones AT&T Stadium, United Supermarkets Arena, Student Union Building, and much more! We will review how to apply to Texas Tech University and what you can do in preparation for your application to open.


Sunday, March 21, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
All sessions are hosted virtually using Zoom

Register Here (Links to an external site.)

Sunday, April 18, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
All sessions are hosted virtually using Zoom

Register Here (Links to an external site.)

For questions about this event, contact the Visitors Center at 806.742.1299 or visitors@ttu.edu.

UTSA ISD Saturdays

Join us for ISD Saturdays, a special series for San Antonio-area students to explore what UTSA has to offer. Students will meet their admissions counselors, learn about UTSA's academic programs and student life, and build a plan for their Bold Futures.

Each one-hour virtual session will focus on the following topics:

  • Mar 3 – Access & Affordability
  • Mar 27 – Get Rowdy & Experience Roadrunner Nation
  • May 1 – Navigating UTSA: Completing your Enrollment Checklist

We are also excited to announce some big giveaways! If students attend all three sessions, they will be entered for a chance to win a $1000.00 scholarship or a $200.00 HEB gift card.

Please share this with your students, and feel free to sign up for the event as well! We look forward to seeing prospective Roadrunners and our favorite high school counselors!

Visit: https://future.utsa.edu/satx/ to learn more and to register for the event! We also have some great virtual backgrounds for your ISD!

Checkout This SCHOLARSHIP:

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Alamo Colleges Foundation Scholarships

There are scholarships available through the Alamo Colleges Foundation along with resources to help you develop a strong application and information to help with the submission process.


Also, connect with the Alamo Colleges Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to engage with other students who benefit from Alamo Colleges Scholarships.


Applying for Foundation Scholarships


2021-2022 Scholarship Application

Application Opens: Jan. 4, 2021 at 8 a.m.

Priority Application Deadline: April 5, 2021
Final Application Deadline: Sept. 5, 2021

Submit an Application (Links to an external site.)

Scholarship recipient selections begin after the Priority Application Deadline and continue throughout the academic year. Students selected to receive a scholarship are notified by email.


Scholarship Application

Only one application is considered per academic year. If you submitted a scholarship application, you must apply again to be considered for next academic year scholarships.

Once you submit your application, you will be given an application number. Make sure to write down your application number. This number confirms your application was submitted

Many scholarships require financial need. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov (Links to an external site.) as soon as possible, since it takes a few weeks before receipt by the Alamo Colleges District.

Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship

The Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving high school graduating female student applicant, as stipulated in the attached “Scholarship Criteria and Requirements 2020-2021 Information Sheet.” Through our scholarship program, BAAC strives to support the educational endeavors of students in its service area.

Please note that the “Information Sheet” outlines a brief history of our organization, along with criteria for submission of applications. To access the Scholarship Application, applicants need to logon to the organization’s website at www.bexarareadst.org (Links to an external site.). Applicants will be able to complete the application and submit necessary documents online. The deadline for receipt of these materials is Friday, April 2, 2021.

Please view the attachment for more information and scholarship requirements.

Need Transcripts? Click the Link Below

Parchment

Click here to order a transcript

quick bytes: How to Create an Account in Parchment Transcript Services for High School Students.
quick bytes: How to Order a Transcript, Higher Ed & K12 Students Fall 2020

Trade Opportunities: Cosmetology

Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists Career Video
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JUNIORS: Top 5 Things You Should Start Now

The Spring semester will pass by very quickly and there are some things you need to be prepared for. I've listed some of the tasks to help get you ready for your college application season. The University/College applications will open early again this year and it is always advisable to be prepared.

Maintain your grades!
  • Admissions is based on a 6th semester transcript. That means your 9th, 10th and 11th grade year will be used to evaluate your admissions application.
Study for your SAT
  • You will have the opportunity to take the SAT on March 3, 2021. It is true universities/colleges have waived the SAT for admissions. However, the major you are interested in may still require an SAT score. Make sure you check the requirements.
Schoolinks-Build Your College List
  • Schoolinks is the districts new college platform. It can be found in your JISD Student portal. You can research colleges, take interest/career quizzes, build a college list, and use the Common App to apply for colleges. Get familiar with this platform because you will use it often as a senior to submit your acceptance letters and scholarships.
Schoolinks-Create a Resume
  • You can create a Resume in Schoolinks by selecting your profile name. Resumes are helpful when you ask teachers, managers, and volunteer supervisors to write letters of recommendation for you. Some Universities/Colleges will require a resume as part of the application process.
Prepare your accounts
  • The Majority of Texas University applications will open on July 1, 2021. You want to be prepared and have some of the information ready to go. You can save time by creating your accounts and completing your profile. Make sure you keep your passwords in a safe place. Some accounts that require a profile are listed below:


  1. Apply Texas
    https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX (Links to an external site.)
  2. FSA ID (You and Your Parents will need to create an ID)
    https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (Links to an external site.)
  3. Common Application
    https://www.commonapp.org/ (Links to an external site.)
  4. Coalition for College Application
    https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ (Links to an external site.)
  5. Common Black College Application
    https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/

ASVAB

April ASVAB Testing

Thursday, April 22nd, 8:30am

7618 Evans Road

San Antonio, TX

Testing is IN-PERSON and virtual testing is NOT available.


To sign up, go to https://forms.gle/mHJKKYc3MjH1ZGEX9

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Applying for Colleges & Universities in Texas Using ApplyTexas

ApplyTexas College Connections NLC

TSI Testing

What Is the TSI Assessment?

The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment - unless you are already exempt (read below) - to determine your readiness for college-level work. Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills and prepare you for success in college-level courses.


Who Needs to Take TSI at VMHS?


  • Students preparing to take a dual credit class in the 2021-2022 school year
  • Students applying for an Alamo Academy dual credit program in the 2021-2022 school year
  • Seniors planning to take college courses*


*TSI is required in the state of Texas. Students can be exempt through meeting benchmark scores on SAT or ACT.


CLICK HERE to Register

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SENIORS, Please Fill out the FAFSA Survey below if you have not already done so

Paying for Your College Education

Please Fill Out the FAFSA Survey Below:

Mexican American Bar Association 2021 College Scholarship Award

Deadline: April 2, 2021

Every year MABA-SA awards several thousand dollars to deserving San Antonio area high school seniors. The MABA-SA scholarship fund seeks to aid qualified students who are pursuing a post-high school education, college as well as trade school. This year MABA-SA will be selecting twenty (20) individuals to receive a $1,500 scholarship.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS - A successful applicant must:
1. Complete a MABA-SA Scholarship Application.
2. Submit an exceptional personal statement.
3. Provide a copy of transcript of grades through December 2020.
4. Provide a copy of their best SAT/ACT scores. If, and only if, the student was not able to take
the SAT or ACT in 2020, the student must submit a copy of their PSAT score taken during their
Junior Year in high school.
5. Provide a letter of recommendation from a high school official (teacher, coach, principal, counselor).
6. If any community service work has been performed, you may indicate such service by
attaching a resume.
7. If selected to receive scholarship, please make arrangements to attend the Scholarship
Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2021. Recipients will be notified within one week of the
ceremony and the location and details will provided at that time.


QUALIFICATIONS - A successful applicant must:
1. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
2. Be a high school senior currently enrolled in an accredited secondary school.

2021 Randall P. Palmer Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 12, 2021

The purpose of the Randall P. Palmer III Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to deserving high school graduating seniors intending to pursue a course of study at an educational institution of higher learning. The scholarship award is based on financial need, one's display of high scholastic achievement, participation in community/service-based activities, and a demonstrated ability toward leadership.

CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY
• Must be a graduating high school senior (2020-2021 school year)
• 3.0 Minimum GPA overall or progression towards un-weighted GPA of 4.00 over the course of four semesters (For the most recent completed cumulative GPA period in 2020
- 2021)
• Must show financial need
• Must demonstrate community involvement

APPLICATION PROCESS
• Completed Application (preferably typed)

• Official high school transcript. All transcripts must be submitted using the grading
policy/GPA scale currently used by their school; additionally, ACT/SAT scores


• Acceptance letter from college/university (copy must be enclosed with application)


• Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from a high school teacher, counselor, social
worker, religious official or school principal. The LORs must include your potential to be successful in college; and have two contact numbers, e-mail address, and full name.


• Personal Statement must be typed, Times New Roman style, font size 12, double spaced.
The statement should address the following:
o A brief biography about yourself
o A description of your scholastic and career ambitions
o A description of your involvement in current extra-curricular and community
service activities.
o (Optional) Please submit no more than 3 action photos and a graduation photo for inclusion into our Gala presentation and social media platform.

March Scholarship Due Dates

OPENS IN SPRING- www.patsyminkfoundation.org/education-support-application

​19th-SA Chapter The Links Incorp. https://sanantoniolinks.org/2020/12/30/apply-now-for-2021-scholarships/

20th-PGA South Texas Foundation https://www.stpgareach.org/college-scholarships
20th-Spurs Give Angelo Drossos Memorial 20-mar-spurs_give_angelo_dross_memorial.pdf
22nd-A4LE https://www.a4le.org/A4LE/Regions/Southern/South_Texas/Scholarship/Southern/South_Texas/Scholarship.aspx?hkey=113563c0-fde2-4f5a-a2b6-ed4231e5fd75

23th-Center for Refugee Services 23-mar-center_for_refugee_services.docx
24th-Sam Baird Blues Society http://www.sanantonioblues.com/documents/sbsvn5.pdf
25th-Federal Employee Educ. Assist. feea.org/2019/10/03/feea-scholarship-application-2020-open/

26th-Executive Women International https://app.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarship/ewisp
27th-Elk Vocational Grant 27-mar-voc_grant_application_.pdf

​29th-Boule Foundation https://scholarships.uncf.org/Program/Details/f5648ea1-342a-4904-8444-584c4903710e
29th-Distinguished Young Bobcat www.stelos.org/distinguished-young-bobcat-award
30th-Odenza Marketing Group bit.ly/2SHNSF4
31st-Automotive Aftermarket www.automotivescholarships.com/

31st-Blacks at Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/blacks-scholarships.aspx
31st-Beyond the Cure Ambassador 31-mar-beyond_the_cure_ambassador.pdf
31st-British American Found. of TX https://www.baftx.org/undergraduate-scholarship/
31st-Don't Mess With Texas dontmesswithtexas.org/education-overview/scholarships
31st-Folds of Honor https://www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships/higher-education/
31st-Foster Care to Success www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/
31st-Gamers Helping Gamers bit.ly/2P5mzn9
31st-Just Poetry www.justpoetry.org/submissions
31st-Kezian Science www.drkezian.com/science-scholarship/
31st-Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance www.mesothelioma.com/scholarship/
31st-Mike Rowe's Work Ethic www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/
31st-Montem Health & Wellness montemlife.com/scholarship/
31st-Opp U www.opploans.com/oppu/scholarship/
31st-Rey Feo
http://reyfeoscholarship.com/scholarship-application/
31st-Superpower www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/superpower-scholarship
31st-Texas Big Game http://www.texasbiggameawards.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/2021%20TBGA%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf
(Rules)-www.texasbiggameawards.org/
31st-Trekking Pole Review bit.ly/39kszjR
31st-Upsolve Access to Justice upsolve.org/scholarship/


April 1st-Lockheed Martin learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lockheedmartin/

April 5th (priority deadline)-Alamo Colleges Foundation www.alamo.edu/foundation/scholarships/

April 16th-SA Kappa Alpha PSI sakapedfoundation.org/scholarships

April 30th-USPAACC uspaacc.com/programs/education/college-scholarships#!

Use Schoolinks to Fill Out Your Common App Application

If you are applying to schools using the Common App, be sure to link your Common App to SchooLinks! The Common Application is integrated with our districts college platform called Schoolinks. I've included a video tutorial to help you manage your applications and submit your acceptance letters. Please watch the video or follow the directions listed to upload acceptance letters. If you need help doing this, let Ms. Rendon jrendon885@judsonisd.org or Ms. Hodges jhodges@judsonisd.org know.


Directions for submitting your acceptance letter:

1. Log into Schoolinks through your JISD student portal.

2. Select the "Colleges" icon on the left side.

3. Select "College Applications"

4. Select "#2 Application Results"

5. Under the tab "Accepted" add the schools you have been accepted to.

6. Upload a photo of the email or letter stating your acceptance.

6. Confirm the Acceptance

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College Application Manager for Students
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Senior Mid-Year Checklist

A COMPLETE APPLICATION -Make sure your applications are complete. The following documentation must be submitted before your application can be reviewed:


o Application Form -Apply Texas, Common App, University App, etc.

o Supplemental Application (if applicable)

o Application Fee or Fee Waiver

o Official Test Scores if you are not waiving the SAT/ACT – Must be sent from College Board or ACT

o Official Transcripts (sent by school) 9th – 11th grade

o Letters of Recommendation (if applicable)

o Optional Materials

o Optional letter of recommendation


MARCH/APRIL

o ASVAB Testing-If you are interested in Military Service, make sure you have completed an test and contacted Ms. Hodges.

o Review Financial Aid Packages with your parents – Packages will be mailed out or will be available in your student portal. Makes sure you review the information and log into your University student account to accept it.



MAY AND JUNE

o DECISION DAY! Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1st o Only submit your SIR to one college

o Place an order your final transcript for your University/College/Military B

Contact Ms. Rendon, College Counselor

Ms. Rendon is a proud graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University. She fosters and trains rescue dogs from various shelters and is currently in a doctoral program at University of North Texas.

Contact Ms. Hodges, Career Counselor

This is Ms. Hodges' fifth year in Judson ISD. She is a Baylor alumna and is currently in a doctoral program at the University of North Texas. Outside of school, Ms. Hodges collects vintage cookbooks, loves to bake, and take her dog, Emmi, to the park.