WBHS Counselor Connection

In this issue:

FAFSA Help Document from Mrs. Essig

FAFSA Virtual Workshops (Seniors)

Virtual Junior Parent Night - College 101 - Save the Date

8th Annual Black Friday Scholarship Boot Camp - Nov. 26 & 27

Mrs. Essig's Scholarship Club (Seniors)

OSTC Cosmetology Program (10th grade)

Michigan Achievement Scholarship (Seniors)

Aardvark Israel Gap Year Program (10th-12th)

Telluride Summer Program (10th and 11th Grade)

HBCU College Tour (Seniors)

Mrs. Essig's Top Picks - Articles of interest

Scholarships:

ACS Chemistry Scholars Program - Underrepresented Seniors in Science - Opens Nov. 1st - Due March 1st
American Rocketry Challenge- 6th-12 grades- Dec 1, 2022
Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship - Eagle Scout - Due December 31, 2022
Aveda Institute Cosmetology Scholarship - Natural Talent Cosmetology Scholarship -12th grade - March 1, 2023 at 5pm.
Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers -Seniors - Dec 1, 2022
CMU Centralis Scholarship - Seniors - 3.7+ Apply by Nov. 7th
College for Creative Studies - Valde Scholars Program - 3.0 + Seniors - Dec 1, 2022
DAR Scholarships - Various Scholarships - Due January 31, 2023
Elks Legacy Scholarship - Child/Grandchild of Elk Member -Seniors - February 6, 23
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship - Senior - Due November 14, 2022
EMU Presidential Scholarship- Seniors - 3.5 + - Due December 15th
Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan Scholarships - Various Dates
EVENT: Black Friday Scholarship Boot Camp on Friday, Nov. 25th, Virtual on Sat., Nov 26th
Foundation 649 Scholarship - Asian American/Pacific Islander Seniors - Due March 1, 2023
Gayle S. Joyner Memorial Scholarship - Senior- Due Feb 24th
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship - 3.0 GPA Seniors - Due Jan 5th 3 p.m. CST
Get To Foundation Scholarship - 12th Grade Scholar Athlete 3.0 GPA- Due Jan. 15th
Hamilton Scholars Program for Juniors - Due Jan. 25, 23
Hispanic Scholarship Fund - Hispanic Seniors 3.0+ -Typically opens Jan. 1
Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs - Juniors- Opens Dec 1st - Due March 15
Jack Cooke Kent Scholarship - 3.5+ GPA, Financial Need Seniors- Due November 17, 22
Jackie Robinson Scholarship for minority seniors with need - Due Jan. 11th
JFK Library's Annual Profile in Courage Essay Contest - Due Jan. 13, 23
MASPA Minority Education Scholarship Program - 2.8+ GPA, Entering field of education - Due May 12, 23
MEA Scholarship - Seniors - Due Feb. 16th
Michigan Council of Women in Technology Scholarship - Female Seniors - Due Jan 31st
MSGCU Scholarships - Seniors - OPENS Jan. 5th
My Impact Challenge- 9th-12th grade - Due May 31, 22
National Space Club Scholarship - Senior in STEM - Due November 15, 2022
Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program - Seniors, First Gen, Low income - Due Jan. 1st
Regeneron Science Talent Search- Due Nov. 9th by 8 p.m.
Ron Brown Scholarship - Seniors - Due ? (Usually Early January)
Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation - Seniors - Opens in January
The Edward A. Bajoka Legal Scholarship for Immigrants - Seniors - Due December 31, 2022
THE FUTURE OF STEM SCHOLARS INITIATIVE (FOSSI) - Seniors attending HBCU 3.0 GPA+ -DUE: Jan. 31st
Timothy Iberger Scholarship for Future Tech Innovators - Senior - Technology or Business-Due November 15, 22
UNCF Scholarships - Various Opportunities for underrepresented students
United States Bowling Congress Youth Scholarships - Various Scholarships for Bowlers - Due December 1, 2022
US Junior Chamber International Senate Foundation Scholarships- Seniors -Due Jan. 13th
Virginia Military Institute Merit Scholarships & General Peay 1962 Merit Scholarships - Due Feb. 1, 23
WSU - Detroit Leadership Award Award for incoming freshmen -Due March 1st
Yale Bassett Award for Community Engagement Application- Juniors - Due TBD - Typically Feb.
Young Scholars Program-American College of Cardiology - Juniors/Seniors - Dec 1, 2022

Class of 2023 - FAFSA opens Oct 1st - FAFSA Workshop

Seniors and their families will be able to start filling out the FAFSA after October 1st. We are thrilled to partner with the staff at Oakland University to offer a FREE FAFSA Workshop. These workshops are open to all seniors and their families who feel they need assistance filling out the FAFSA. This Virtual FAFSA Workshop is for current seniors attending college in the fall of 2023.

Below you'll find the link to provide students and parents the opportunity to register for our FAFSA Workshop through Zoom. Through that link, you will be able to reserve your spot and receive the link to join, access the FSA ID instructions and the FAFSA Checklist, as well as receive an email reminder to attend before the event.

Virtual FAFSA Workshop will be held on Monday, November 28th at 7:00 p.m. This is for families needing help with their FAFSA.

https://oakland-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuCvpj0tGNFTy5NFJeJLsBDjIsjCJ5v1

Other important things to note:

Attendees can register up to the start of the workshop allowing for greater accessibility
There is no limit of families permitted per workshop session
If families are unable to join the workshop on the date/time you selected, they can always access OU sponsored workshops open to anyone regardless of college choice on the Financial Aid Events website

Financial Aid Help with CMU Financial Aid Officers - Free!

Financial Aid Nights in Troy & Southfield

Our office will be hosting two financial aid nights in November where Vice President Dehaemers will be providing students and supporters with information on how to file their FASFA. We will also be providing more information on scholarships and financial aid

Financial Aid Night in Southfield - Thursday, November 10th @ 6:30 pm

26555 Evergreen Rd

Southfield, MI 48076

United States

Learn more about a Gap Year Program with Aardvark Israel

Join us to learn more about a Gap Year program with Aardvark Israel. They are fully accredited by Portland State University. Participants can earn up to 30 college credits, while also interning/volunteering in a field of their choice, tour around Israel and learn valuable life skills. They run programs for Jewish students aged 17-21 from all over the world. To learn more visit their website: https://aardvarkisrael.com/

Thursday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m.

Gap Year Program
with Aardvark Israel Info Session

Current 10th and 11th Grade students -

Telluride is a summer opportunity for you to consider. Please click on the links below to learn more. If you are interested in being nominated, please let your counselor know ASAP!

tass.tellurideassociation.org

I am writing to invite you to nominate intellectually curious, community-minded, and motivated students to apply for a full scholarship to our program in Summer 2023. We offer the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) for high school sophomores and juniors (“rising juniors” and “rising seniors”). It is a free, six-week program.

Our Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS) study how power and privilege shape social structures through courses in humanities and social sciences.

TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) offers seminars that explore topics within history, politics, literature, art, and other intellectual and cultural contributions from people of African descent.

TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies) considers systems of power and oppression including white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism, and possibilities of social transformation. Seminars titles and descriptions will be available in the spring. (Those who have heard from us before may notice significant changes from our 2020 and earlier programs.)

All accepted students receive a full scholarship, with no charge for tuition, books, or room and board. Although students are responsible for arranging travel to and from their program, travel subsidies are available. We also offer funding to replace lost wages for students who would otherwise be working over the summer to support their families.

The 2023 application will also be available in mid-November on our website:.tass.tellurideassociation.org

Scholarship Club for seniors!

Are you in need of money to assist you with paying for college? Do you need scholarships but aren't sure where to start? Every year we get seniors coming to us in tears in April because they cannot afford the college they wish to attend. Don't let this be you! Apply for scholarships all throughout the school year!

Mrs. Noelle Essig, College and Career Counselor, regularly uses her expertise to provide a personalized college search experience for WBHS students. This fall, she is also using her expertise to help interested students find ways to help pay for their education. Join Mrs. Essig as she launches "Mrs. Essig's Scholarship Club,” providing time each week for students to research and work on scholarship applications. Mrs. Essig will also conduct mock interviews for students who get selected for scholarship interviews.

Our next meetings will take place on:

November 9th at 2:30 p.m. in the College and Career Center

November 16th at 2:30 p.m. in the iCenter

November 30th at 2:30 p.m. in the iCenter

All seniors are welcome!

Michigan Achievement Scholarship - NEW!

Seniors -

If you filled out your FAFSA and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $25,000 or less, you want to learn more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship! This is a new scholarship opportunity and you must fill out the FAFSA in order to see if you qualify. See more details below and at this link.

https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs/michigan-achievement-scholarship

If you haven't filled out your FAFSA yet, get going! Remember that Mrs. Essig put together this FAFSA Resource for you. https://www.smore.com/ab29g-fafsa-resources-for-wbhs-seniors

We also have a Virtual FAFSA Workshop on November 28th at 7:00 p.m.for parents and students needing help with the form.

https://oakland-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuCvpj0tGNFTy5NFJeJLsBDjIsjCJ5v1

October 11, 2022, Governor Whitmer signed Public Act 212 of 2022 to establish the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.

Starting with the high school class of 2023, students will be eligible for more financial aid from the State:

Up to $2,750 if they attend a community college, per year
Up to $5,500 if they attend a public university, per year
Up to $4,000 if they attend a private college or university, per year

Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need* when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

*Financial need is defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC of $25,000 or less.

High school seniors can get started by following these steps:

File the FAFSALinks to an external site.
Create a MiSSG Student Portal Links account three to five business days after filing your FAFSA.

HBCU Search Tool

Interested in an HBCU but not sure where to look? Check out this search tool that allows you to search by major. http://thehundred-seven.org/matchme.php

College Application and ACT/SAT Test Fee Waivers

Seniors - College application fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Your family needs to apply each year for free and reduced lunch. Please fill out the free and reduced lunch form by clicking here: http://westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud

10th and 11th grade: If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you can receive a code to waive your fees for the ACT and/or SAT. Please apply for free and reduced lunch first and confirm that you qualify then see your counselor

.

Please note that Ms. Essig posts all scholarship information in the College and Career Center Canvas page. Please follow the Canvas page for the most up-to-date opportunities!

How do I find scholarships?

1. Apply for Financial Aid after October 1st. www.FAFSA.gov

2. Check with each college in which you are applying for merit-based scholarships and deadlines.

3. Check for memorial and alumni scholarship opportunities at each college in which you may qualify.

4. Check with student’s/parent’s employer, banks/credit union, religious & civic affiliations, etc. for scholarships.

5. Check the College and Career Center Canvas pages frequently.

6. Read the Counselor Connection

7. Conduct a search by using a national search engine, such as www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.myscholly.com, etc. Be sure to create an email address just for these searches as students will receive a lot of emails. There is no need to pay money for these services! Watch for scams!

8. Check Careeronestop: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx

9. College Board Opportunity Scholarships. https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/

10. For more information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships#how-find

11. Remember it takes work to receive most scholarships! You won't know if you don't try!

It is important to do your research and created a balanced list of colleges. If you are applying to several reach schools, it is critical that your list includes likely and target schools. Please also keep in mind that your safety school might be your friend's reach school. Please be cautious of your words. Stay open-minded and chase merit scholarships at schools where your GPA is above their average.

Every college provides data via the Common Data Set about their previous year's admitted students. This is a great way to understand your chances of admission along with helping you determine whether to send your SAT/ACT scores to a college that is test optional. Simply Google the name of the college + Common Data Set to find this information. Look in Section C. This data quickly helps students understand their chances of admission.

College and Career Center in Canvas for 11th and 12th Grade Students

If you are in 11th and 12th grade, be sure to "accept" the invitation to join the Virtual College and Career Center! Mrs. Essig has created a fantastic resource for you! After you have reviewed the information, you are welcome to set up an appointment with her if you have questions. We kindly ask that juniors wait until after November 1st to make an appointment as seniors are our priority with November 1st college application deadlines. Check Canvas for more details and announcements.

Parents - You can view the information by being an "observer" of your student in Canvas.

Below are some helpful links for Canvas.

Important Contacts

WBHS Counseling Department

Class of 2024, 2025, 2026- 9th thru 11th Grade

Kyle Landon (sub for Kelly Casinelli on Maternity Leave) Students with last names A-Ch
Joanne Wegrzynowicz - Students with last names Ci-Gra
Karen Brody - Students with last names Grb-Kl
Kason Dickerson - Students with last names Km-M
Lisa Thompkins - Students with last names N-Sh
John Hepper - Students with last names Si-Z

Class of 2023 - 12th Grade

Kyle Landon (sub for Kelly Casinelli on Maternity Leave) Students with last names A-Cu
Joanne Wegrzynowicz - Students with last names Cv-Ha
Karen Brody - Students with last names Hb-Lo
Kason Dickerson - Students with last names Lp-Po
Lisa Thompkins - Students with last names Pr-Te
John Hepper - Students with last names Tf-Z