HRHS Senior Newsletter
December 2019
288 College Applications Submitted So Far!
Great work to those of you who submitted your college applications! When you hear from your colleges, don't forget to come to the counseling office to share your good news!
If you are still unsure about your plans for after high school, make an appointment with Ms. Scully. She can help you to find a job, apply to college, plan a gap year, join the military, etc.
Two-Year College Process
Decision Days
Don't forget that Decision Days are this week and next. You can still sign up!
You must complete an application before attending.
- Greenfield Community College - Dec. 5th
- Springfield Technical Community College - Dec. 10th
- Holyoke Community College - Dec.12th
2-Year and 4-Year - Financial Aid
FAFSA
You must fill out the FAFSA in order to be eligible for student loans. If your family is considered a low income family, you may also qualify for grants that you do not need to pay back.
Click here to visit the official FAFSA website and begin your application.
Financial Aid Workshop for Seniors
Dec. 11th - Advisory & Period 2
This workshop is for two and four-year college students. Students will learn:
- How to read a financial aid package
- How to calculate the amount you will pay each month after you graduate from college
- Types of loans and grants
- How to apply for financial aid
If you would like to attend this workshop, sign up in the guidance office or respond to this email.
Four-Year College Process
CSS Profile
Click here to see if your college requires a CSS Profile.
Click here to start your CSS Profile application.
College-Specific Financial Aid Applications & Deadlines
Many colleges have their own application process for merit scholarships. Visit each college website to check for financial aid deadlines and to see if any applications, besides the FAFSA, are required.
Steps to Complete Before and After Applying to College
Important Note: If you are submitting applications before the college deadline designated on Naviance, you must notify Ms. Scully in person or via email. Otherwise she will not send your transcript and letters of recommendation until the deadline on Naviance.
Here is the link to the College Application Process Checklist . Hard copies are available in the counseling office.
Tuition Reduction for Out of State Colleges
New England Regional Student Program - Tuition Break
New England Regional Student Program (RSP), also known as Tuition Break, is a program for students who find that their intended major is not offered by the University of Massachusetts campuses, Massachusetts state universities or the community colleges.
The RSP provides a tuition break to Massachusetts’ residents, who are enrolled in approved degree programs at public colleges and universities in the five other New England states. There are over 250 majors that are covered under this program. Click here for more information and the listing of available majors.
Other Tuition Benefits for Mass Residents
Castleton University in Vermont offers in-state tuition to all Hampshire County residents, regardless of major. Visit their website for more information.
The University of Maine - Orono offers in-state tuition to Massachusetts residents with a 3.0 GPA and a minimum of 1120 on the SAT. Students must apply by March 15th.
Scholarship Information
Searching for Scholarships
Local Scholarship Listings
This year, we are using a new scholarship platform, Going Merry, to manage and advertise local scholarships that are awarded to HRHS students. We have not uploaded all of the local scholarships yet but students are welcome to create their account to get a head start on scholarship applications. Students will apply to scholarships directly through this website.
Going Merry also allows students to search for scholarships that are offered throughout the state and country.
Naviance Scholarship List
Students should also check out the scholarship listings on Naviance. This scholarship list includes a number of scholarships that are available to students from our general area but are not limited to HRHS students. Naviance provides information on how to access the application for each scholarship.
To access this scholarship list, log on to your Naviance account and click on the "Colleges" tab. Click on "Scholarships and Money" at the bottom of the menu. This will open the following helpful options:
- Scholarship Match and Scholarship List - These links produce the same list of all of the scholarships that are advertised to our counseling office. Many are local scholarships and some are state/national scholarships.
- National Scholarship Search - This will take you to the Sallie Mae Foundation's national scholarship database. You can use this tool to search thousands of scholarships nationwide.
Northampton St. Patrick's Association Scholarships
James. M. Diggins Award
This $500 award will be given to a graduating senior from NHS, Smith Voc. or HRHS. The senior must be continuing education at a college or a trade/vocational school, must have worked to his/her potential in high school and must demonstrate volunteerism.
William F. O'Connor Shanachie Award:
This $1000 award will be given to a graduating senior from NHS, Smith Voc. or HRHS. The senior must have worked to his/her potential in high school and must display a good sense of humor and knack for storytelling.
See Mrs. Jablonski for more information about these two awards. Both applications are due on December 31st.
Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarships
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO will be awarding over one million dollars in scholarships to graduating seniors from Massachusetts. There are two scholarship programs open to students with union affiliation and one open to all students.
In order to qualify for a scholarship, students must take a labor history exam consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions and an essay. The exam will be given at HRHS on Monday, February 10th. An on-line study guide will be available on December 1st.
If you are interested, you must register to take the exam. The deadline is Friday, December 20th.
Click here for more information and to register for the exam.
Announcements
Attention Male Seniors
Federal law requires that men, who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective Service. Selective Service registration allows the United States Government to maintain a list of names of men who may be called into military service in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of the U.S. Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective Service can ensure that any future draft will be fair and equitable. To register online, go to www.sss.gov.
Failure to register could cost you federal financial aid.
Have you been accepted to college?
Please come to guidance and let us know where you have been accepted. The book of college acceptances is located on Ms. Jablonski’s desk in the guidance office.
Career Spotlight
California wildfires got you thinking? Learn about careers in Disaster Relief.
People who work in disaster relief have a variety of jobs, but they all have a common mission: ensuring that when disaster strikes, help follows. Some workers have full-time positions with a primary focus on disasters. These individuals might work for national relief organizations, like the American Red Cross, government agencies, like FEMA, or local non-profits.
Some workers have relief-related training or specialized skills but work full time in another job and are on call to help when disasters occur. These workers might be nurses and medical personnel, social workers and mental health counselors, or construction and waste removal specialists. Many other people volunteer or work in temporary jobs that last only until recovery efforts are complete.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment growth in relief services occupations will be faster than the average for all occupations from 2016 to 2026. People who work in this industry say that it is a high stress job, but it is also extremely rewarding.
The chart below lists some possible jobs in disaster relief along with required education and average salary. For more information, check out the BLS article on Careers in Disaster Relief.