Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER & OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN
Money, Money, Money, Money, MONEY!
If there is one question that I am asked most often it is "how can I get a scholarship?". There are three main pieces to that puzzle: Do the best you can in school (grades/ACT),Invest your time in something outside of school (volunteer, work, school organizations) last, but most importantly put forth the effort to find and fill out scholarship applications.
While all of the scholarship opportunities out there can be overwhelming, there are some shortcuts to make it a little easier on you.
- In December, you received an email with information and a link to "Go Merry" a scholarship website. It is unique is many ways and streamlines the application process. Most scholarships are nationwide.www.goingmerry.com
- "Achieve Alabama" is a website that collects statewide scholarships into one location. Students can search the database for scholarships and explores colleges and their majors. www.achievealabama.org
- Local scholarships are listed in the bottom section of this newsletter. The main criteria is listed for each scholarship so that you know whether you qualify to apply. They are also listed in chronological order by due date.
Take a moment to prioritize and set small goals.
Some examples...
- Make a list and drop by the Guidance Department to pick up applications from the "Scholarship Box"
- 1 scholarship per week
- Keep a calendar of due dates for each scholarship
- Finish your resume to submit to those doing your recommendations
This is the time of year where local and regional scholarships really heat up. The scholarship section at the bottom of this newsletter is full of opportunities. It will continue to grow until mid April where those opportunities will start to subside.
Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to look for and apply to scholarships! Don't be late and miss out on an opportunity.
Calhoun Preview Night
Wondering how to afford college? Let Calhoun help! Attend ONE of their Preview Nights to find out more about paying for ANY college, preview Calhoun’s programs of study, and meet the faculty and staff. Dinner will be provided too! Find out more and sign up to attend Preview Night by visiting Calhoun's website - www.calhoun.edu/previewnight.
Haven't ordered your cap & gown? Here's how....
By now, you need to have ordered your cap & gown. If you have not, you will have to order online. If you only would like to order a cap and gown, you can do it HERE (www.balfoursrc.com). Click on "Make a Payment" > click on "Athens High School" > fill out all of the information including height & weight > pay the $43.60 for the cap and gown plus a convenience fee for using a credit or debit card.
If you would like to order OTHER senior stuff (announcements, gear, etc.) plus your cap and gown, you need to click HERE (www.balfour.com). Search "Athens High School" and follow directions from there.If you have any further questions, you can contact our Balfour representatives at (423) 265-2060.
A new way to order transcripts... PARCHMENT
Athens High School has now partnered with Parchment to order and send your transcripts securely. You received an email in December with a link and code to create an account. You can create an account with or without the code, but registering with the code is much quicker and easier.
You will be able to order a transcript and track the process of your order all online!
Some things you should know:
- For current students, the first 3 orders are free
- After the first three orders, there will be a fee of $5 for each transcript ordered
- Your FINAL transcript upon graduation will be free if ordered by June 30th of your graduation year
- Paper Transcript Requests for current and former students will no longer be accepted
The link to order a transcript is available on the school's main webpage as well as under the Guidance Page> Senior Resources
Need a transcript? Request online through Parchment, linked below.
$120 BILLION in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds are awarded annually to more than 13 million students? Click below to find out how to get in on that money!
Been Accepted to School? Please email me your picture with the acceptance letter or bring by your acceptance letter and I will take your picture. I want to see YOUR face on the Acceptance Wall in the new school!
Spring PREVIEW DAYS
Spring Preview Days are a great way to see many facets of a college or university. Go to a school's website to sign up online to participate in their preview day. If you cannot make the preview day, then sign up online for a tour of campus. If the preview day or campus visit takes place on a weekday, make sure to fill out a College Visit form in advance so that absence does not affect your attendance. College Visit forms can be picked up in the attendance office.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Saturday, February 23rd
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN BIRMINGHAM
Saturday, February 23rd
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
Friday, April 26th
UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA
Saturday, March 16th
Saturday, April 6th
The Last Day to Sign Up for the February ACT is THIS Friday, January 11th!
Interested in taking the SAT?
John Baylor Prep's On To College
Login information is available in the Guidance Office or by clicking HERE.
Sign up for the ACT at actstudent.org
- February 9, 2019
- April 13, 2019
- June 8, 2019
- July 13, 2019
Register at www.actstudent.org
Don't miss registration deadlines!
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
SCHOLARSHIPS
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order. This section will continue to grow throughout the year. Keep an eye out as new information is listed. If you see a scholarship that you are interested in and need an application, those are available in the scholarship box in the Guidance Office.
- The National Beta Scholarship Program will award over 250 scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $15,000 to deserving Senior Beta members. All 12th grade Beta members are eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, visit www.betaclub.org/scholarship. Deadline is January 24, 2019.
- The ALFA Foundation Scholarship Program will award 100 scholarship worth $1,000 to students studying at an Alabama college, university or tech school. Applicants must be Alabama Farmers Federation members. Visit www.alfainsurance.com and click on the scholarship program button. Deadline is January 31, 2019.
- Through the AFAF Scholarship Program, one student per county may be awarded a $1,750 scholarship/ To apply, a student must be seeking an agriculture or forestry-related degree from Auburn University or Alabama A&M University. Applicants must have a Federation membership or be a dependent of a Federation member. Visit www.alfafarmers.org and click on the scholarship banner for more information. Deadline is January 31, 2019.
- Tennessee Tech School of Music offers scholarships to both music and non-music majors. Scholarship audition dates are February 8th & 22nd and March 15, 2019. You must call or email to schedule a visit. For more information, visit www.tntech.edu/music.
- Mediacom Communication's World Class Scholarship Program is offering 55 $1,000 nonrenewable scholarships in the 21 states that it provides service. You are not required to be a customer to apply. Applications are available at www.mediacomworldclass.com. Deadline is February 15, 2019.
- The National Co Op Scholarship Program is for students interested in attending one of these 10 schools: Clarkson U, Drexel U, Johnson & Wales U, Merrimack U, Rochester IT, State U of NY Oswego, U of Cincinnati, U of Mass. Lowell, U of Toledo, Wentworth IT. You must have a 3.5 GPA and apply to one of the schools above. Awards range from $6,000 to $30,000 over 4 years. Applications available at www.waceinc.org. Deadline is February 15, 2019.
- The Limestone County Farmers Federation is sponsoring a $1,000 college scholarship for one senior this year with the option of renewal for up to 4 years. Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and either parent, student or guardian must be a member. Full requirements and applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is February 15, 2019.
- The Alabama Conservation District Employees Association is now accepting applications for six $500 scholarships to be awarded to students who are residents of Alabama planning on attending college in the summer or fall of 2019. Student requirements are to be active in student affairs or show leadership abilities and show financial need. Applications are in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 1, 2019.
- Lockheed Martin has launched a new scholarship program to provide opportunities to students who want to build their talents and change the world! Students must be a US citizen, have a 3.5 GPA or higher, plan on attending a 4 year college or university to major in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Math, Physics, Information Systems/Management Information Systems or Information Assurance. The scholarship is worth $10,000 per year. More information and requirements can be found at https://lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/communities/stem-education/lm-scholarship-program.html. Deadline is March 12, 2019.
- The Athena League recognizes the importance of academic achievement, need, extracurricular activities and community involvement, thus establishing the Athena League Trent-Crutcher Scholarship. The award is a one-time $1,500 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2019 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Applications are available in the Guidance Department.Deadline is March 15, 2019.
- The F.A.I.T.H. Initiative invites seniors to apply for the Bobby Bodiford Memorial Scholarship & the Dr. Constance Dees Memorial Scholarship. These $1,000 scholarships honor two dedicated and outstanding educators from the Tennessee Valley. One application can be completed to apply for both scholarships. They are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 18, 2019.
- Cops' Kids has announced their essay contest for seniors planning on attending a college or university in the Fall of 2019. Students must be the son or daughter of an active duty sworn police officer employed by any of the following law enforcement offices: Athens, Huntsville, Madison and Decatur City Police Departments and Madison and Morgan County Sheriff's Departments. More information is available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 31, 2019.
- The Athens Rotary Club Scholarship was established to encourage, assist and promote deserving students to pursue and excel in his/her field. The scholarship will be awarded to an Athens and/or Limestone County resident senior in the amount of $4,000. Scholarship selection will be made on the basis of merit, character, community service, leadership qualities and potential for future professional growth. Applications are in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 31, 2019.
- Enter the Suntrust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 30 $500 scholarships. Two $500 scholarship winners will be randomly chosen every two weeks. You can enter once each drawing period from September 10, 2018- May 13, 2019. Enter to win at www.suntrust.com/offtocollege.
- MG Law Office is offering a great scholarship opportunity that we want to be sure that your students are aware of and have the opportunity to apply for. The scholarship is available for high school seniors. To enter, you must create a 45-60 second video advertisement on the dangers of drunk driving. The winning ad will be selected based on quality, usability, effectiveness, creativity, and helpfulness to warn people about the dangers of drunk driving. The application can be found at https://www.mg4law.com/nationwide-scholarship/. Deadline is July 1, 2019.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS
- The theme for the 2019 Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Essay & Art Contest is "A Stable Message in Changing Times". First, second and third place in each category will receive a cash prize and present at the MLK event on January 21, 2019. Information on how to enter is available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to apply is January 11, 2019.
- The American Legion Post 49 Limestone County Oratorical Contest is available to students in grades 9-12. Cash prizes will be available and increase if you progress to district ans state competitions. For more information, contact Post 49 Commander Camden Kent 230-6233 or Mr. Dean Crafton at 497-9638. Deadline is January 12, 2019.
- The National Student Leadership Conference 2019 Summer Conferences offer 21 programs for different interests. Participates get to experience life on a college campus, hands-on simulations, leadership training, exclusive guest speakers, behind the scenes tours and a chance to earn college credit. Program scholarships are available. Open to current 9th-11th graders. If interested in being nominated to attend, see your counselor in the Guidance Department.
- Auburn University College of Engineering will host E-Day on February 22, 2019. 7th-12th graders as well as family and friends are encouraged to attend this free event. For more information and to sign up, visit eng.auburn.edu/eday.
- The University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine is offering VetCamp. It is an opportunity for 52 10th-12th grade students interested in veterinary medicine to attend a week-long camp on their campus. For more information, please visit http://vet.uga.edu/academic/vetcamp. Deadline is January 25, 2019.
- Applications to Auburn University's Engineering Summer Camps 2019 is now open. Rising 10th-12th grade males & 9th-12th grade females are welcome to apply. For more information, visit www.eng.auburn.edu/summercamps.
- The Princeton Prize in Race Relations offers scholarships to students who are leaders in a club or project that is focused on improving race relations. Apply for a chance to win $1,000 and a trip to Princeton to meet other winners from across the country. Visit https://pprize.princeton.edu/apply to apply. Deadline is January 31, 2019.
- The University of Alabama's Rural Minority Health Program is taking applications from current high school seniors for summer 2019. The purpose of the program is to give ten students from rural backgrounds that have an interest in the healthcare profession a head start in the college preparation they will need for admissions to professional programs. Tuition, room expenses and a $500 meal ticket are provided to each person selected. Applications and more information is available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 1, 2019.
- Reach Your Potential Scholarships are available to 9th-12th grade students. There are 3 scholarships available. The $1,000 National Scholarship is deadline is March 4, 2019. Sign up at www.reachyourpotentialscholarship.com.
- Troy University’s GeoDay will be March 11th. Students interested in technical fields can come find out more about what the Geospatial Informatics department has to offer. Please see the link below for more information. https://nwjh26.wixsite.com/geoday2019.
- The University of Alabama’s Rural Health Scholar’s Program is available to 25 11th grade students in the state of Alabama. The program pays for all expenses including tuition, housing, books and meal allowance. Requirements are a 21 on the ACT, a resident of rural Alabama for 5 years, currently in the 11th grade with a 3.0 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation and a statement of interest essay. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 15, 2019.
- The Army Educational Outreach Program offers the STEM Apprenticeship Opportunities for High School Students. The flyer below offers information or visit www.usaeop.com.
Need a Recommendation?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Don't assume they will write one for you- ask.
- Choose someone with whom you've had a positive relationship.
- Provide them with a resume, what or who the recommendation is for, and when you need it completed.
- Let them know if it is to be returned to you or if they are to mail it. If they are to mail it, please provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- Don't rush in the day before the deadline. Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable. The more time allow, the more thoughtful your recommendation will be.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Athens High School
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613