School Counseling Newsletter
October 2019
Senior Checklist: October
- Work on college applications- many early action deadlines are coming up on Nov. 1st and Nov. 15th.
- Request letters of recommendation.
- Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Please see info below about the Oct. 8th FAFSA Workshop and register here: https://forms.gle/gZSWu1VM5A1c6x8y5. To begin your FAFSA process, make an FSA ID for yourself and a parent here: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
- If you plan to go straight to a four-year college and have NOT taken the SAT: Register for the Nov. 2nd SAT by Oct. 3rd, or the Dec. 7th SAT by Nov. 8th. More info below.
- Tour college campuses!
- Make an appointment with Mrs. Hummer if you have questions about community college or major/career, or with Ms. Taylor if you have questions about the SAT/ACT and/or four-year colleges.
Scholarships
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated is preparing to celebrate 108 years of service to the local community, the state, the nation and world. This celebration is culminated with our Achievement Week held 11-17 November 2019. One of the key elements of the week is the International High School Essay Contest. The contest is open to all college bound seniors. A winning essay will get a monetary amount to be decided from the local chapter, then go on to be judged at the district level and if they are selected as the district winner then goes to the national/international contest. The local chapter for Caroline is the Tau Rho Chapter. Applications are in the main office.
2019 Youth Awards Presented by Hispanic Heritage
Seniors only- Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or above, must plan college for Fall 2020, be of Hispanic heritage, and must be a US Citizen or qualify under DACA.
Go online to the following website for additional information:
or call 202-861-9797 ext 114
University of Dayton
$2,500- $112,000 of scholarship money.
Must plan to attend the University of Dayton!
Submit your name to Mrs. Huntsinger for a school nomination if you are interested.
American Legion High School Oratorical Legion High School Program
Contest requires: two orations: A Prepared Oration of 8-10 minutes, and an Assigned Topic Oration of 3-5 minutes. The national winner receives an $18,000 scholarship.
Information and details are at the following website: www.org/oratorical
Harry F. Byrd Leadership Award
This $15,000 scholarship is for a senior who has demonstrated academic accomplishment, and who embodies character, leadership, and good citizenship. If you would like to be nominated for this award, please see Mrs. Huntsinger by Oct. 15th. The selected student must fill out a preliminary application by Nov. 1st.
Davidson College John M. Belk Scholarship
This scholarship covers four years of room and board plus $6,000 for a study abroad opportunity. You must be interested in attending Davidson College and must demonstrate academic excellence, enthusiasm, integrity, and leadership ability. Please see Mrs. Huntsinger by Oct. 10th if you are interested.
Colonel James L. Graham Jr. Aviation Scholarship
Are you interested in becoming a pilot? Visit www.theVABA.org for an application for this $10,000 scholarship. Deadline is Dec. 13th!
The Central Intelligence Agency Undergraduate Scholarship
Do you want to work for the CIA during summer breaks and after college graduation? If yes, this scholarship offers up to $18,000 per year in tuition assistance, as well as health insurance and other perks. Go to www.cia.gov/careers/student-opportunities for more information.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Are you a student of Hispanic heritage with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA? Apply at www.hsf.net by Feb. 15th. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.
Kenneth R. Scott Aviation Scholarship
Planning a career in aviation? Are you accepted to an aviation-related program? Apply for this scholarship worth $3,000. You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5, unweighted. Applications are in the main office. Due by March 6th.
Willard G. Plentl Sr. Aviation Scholarship
This scholarship is for students who are planning an aviation career in a non-engineering area. Must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.5. This scholarship is worth $1,000 and is due by March 13th. Applications are in the main office.
Ursinus College Scholarships
601 E Main Street Collegeville, PA 19426
Applicants who apply as first-year students by our published application deadlines are automatically considered for our Merit Scholarships (which range from $21,000 to $40,000). Students may also apply for our special-interest scholarships, some of which can even be combined with merit awards. Below is a look at what we offer. (Yes, it’s a long list, but that’s a good thing, right?)
• The Creative Writing Award* is given to a creative writer of outstanding originality and potential. The award winner will receive $40,000/year and have the honor of living in the dorm room once occupied by J.D. Salinger, who attended Ursinus.
• Parlee Fellows are five incoming students who work with our Parlee Center to prepare for leadership positions in science and the public sphere. Fellows receive $8,000/year.
• Performing Arts Scholarships in theater, music and dance* are awarded to outstanding students with ability, commitment and leadership potential. Each award is $40,000/year.
• The Rev. Charles Rice Memorial Scholarship* is a $35,000/year award for high-achieving applicants who have meaningfully impacted issues of diversity and inclusion in their schools and/or communities.
• Service Leadership Scholars are Bonner Leaders ($5,000/year) and Scholars in Service ($2,500/year) who continue their commitment to the common good.
• Smith Quest Scholars can explore their faith more deeply as they grow in their professional and academic interests. They receive $7,500/year.
• Social Justice Scholars are awarded $8,000/year and possess a fervent desire to better the world around them.
• U-Imagine Ambassadors of our U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies receive $8,000/year.
• U-Lead Scholars are awarded $8,000/year. They are expected to individually move into leadership positions across campus and then come together as a group to work towards larger, institution-wide change.
• Ursinus Science Scholars are highly motivated students with significant financial need who plan to major in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology, or neuroscience. They receive up to $8,000/year.
For more information on which scholarships can be combined and which are stand-alone, as well as application and deadline information, visit our website. If you have any questions, please call our office at (610) 409-3200.
SAT Prep Opportunity- Juniors & Seniors
The Partnership for Academic Excellence provides college preparatory assistance to minority high school juniors and seniors in the greater Fredericksburg area. Services offered include SAT prep classes, financial aid planning, college application assistance, and trips to colleges and universities – all free of charge. As a junior or senior, you are invited to participate in The Partnership for the 2019-2020 school year. As a member, you will be required to participate in SAT prep classes once a week (offered on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings at the Walker-Grant Center (Original Walker-Grant School) at 200 Gunnery Road or 210 Ferdinand Street (both are the same building), Fredericksburg, 22401 from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m.) beginning on October 1st (Tuesday) or October 2 (Wednesday) through November 27. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASS ONLY ONE DAY PER WEEK.
The course will require your active participation in the classes and submission of homework assignments. If you are unable to attend the class on October 1st or 2nd, you may begin attending classes the next week. You will also be eligible for The Partnership trips to colleges and universities, dependent upon your class attendance and homework completion. If you are not interested in committing to full participation, please do not sign up for the program as considerable funding is invested in each student. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Xavier Richardson at 540-760-6525 or xavier.richardson@mwhc.com, or you may call Ms. Glenda Wilson at 540-226-4578.
Financial Aid/FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1st at fafsa.gov. All students planning to attend college (including community college) need to complete the FAFSA. Ms. Taylor will hold FAFSA Night on Tuesday, October 8th from 5:00 to 8:00. At this event, students may bring a parent/guardian and receive assistance with completing the FAFSA. Be aware that the FAFSA will not take up a full three hours. Typically, most people will complete it within an hour. Come no later than 7:00 in order to give yourself enough time to fully complete the form. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/cwnHerwEpsqB5ce47. Please bring your Chromebook! To get a head start, make an FSA ID for yourself and a parent here: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
A few important things to know about the FAFSA:
- The FAFSA is ALWAYS 100% free. Do not pay to do the FAFSA and do not pay anyone to help you. You have free help at school!
- Seniors will file the 2020-2021 version of the FAFSA.
- Information from 2018 tax returns will be used on the 2020-2021 form. Find these documents as well as W-2 forms.
- Students with divorced parents will only submit information for the parent who they live with the most. If time is split equally between parents, submit information for the parent who gives the most financial support.
- If you are in a legal guardianship or have been in foster care at any time since you were 13, you will likely file as an independent student, meaning you will not file with parent information. Please see Ms. Taylor or your counselor if this is your situation.
College Applications
- Common Application (commonapp.org)
- Coalition Application (coalitionforcollegeaccess.org)
- Common Black App (https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/)
- Official college websites
Ms. Taylor will host after school college application workshops beginning in October (10/29). These are great opportunites to sit down and concentrate on applications while having help if you need it. Sessions will last until the activity buses for those who need a ride home.
If you receive free/reduced lunch, NEVER pay to submit a college application. There are fee waivers available. To access a fee waiver on the Common or Coalition applications, fill out the fee waiver questions. To receive a fee waiver for applications on official college websites, contact Ms. Taylor or your counselor in advance of the deadline.
Common Application
- UVA @ Wise
- Emory and Henry College
- Bridgewater College
- Radford University
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Roanoke College
- Hollins University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- University of Virginia
- University of Richmond
- Christopher Newport University
- William and Mary
- George Mason
- Hampden-Sydney
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences
- Mary Baldwin University
- Marymount University
- Old Dominion University
- Randolph College
- Randolph Macon College
- Sweet Briar College
- University of Lynchburg
- University of Mary Washington
- Washington and Lee
Coalition Application
- Christopher Newport University
- James Madison University
- Sweet Briar College
- University of Richmond
- Virginia Tech
- William and Mary
William and Mary, University of Richmond, Sweet Briar, and CNU use both Common App and Coaltion App. You can choose which to apply through! JMU and Virginia Tech are exclusive to the Coaltion App.
Common Black App
*** If you qualify for a fee waiver (based on free/reduced lunch), please see Ms. Taylor before starting the Common Black App. The Common Black App does not accept fee waivers, but we can look into other solutions.
Career Corner
Germanna News
Are you a Junior or a Senior and are you thinking about taking a class at Germanna? Here are the steps.
Enrolled high school students
- Complete a Germanna application for admission and application for Virginia domicile (for students requesting in-state tuition rate).
- Provide documentation of attainment of eleventh grade level or above.
- Provide a completed high school student permission to enroll form signed by a high school counselor or principal each semester.
- Demonstrate college ready skills by taking Germanna placement tests or submitting ACT or SAT scores. All students who take the placement tests are required to take the reading and writing tests.
- Bring documentation to your Career Coach for final assessment and approval, academic advising, and registration for classes.
- Meet with the Career Coach prior to each subsequent registration for course approval.
Experience Germanna
There’s a place for you at Germanna. Experience it first-hand by visiting one of our campuses. Discover all that Germanna has to offer through an engaging presentation, discussion and campus tour. Get your questions answered and learn how to get started. Future students, parents/guardians and mentors are all welcome to attend. Germanna is a safe space and welcomes people of all ages, cultures, experiences and abilities.
Register online here :https://www.germanna.edu/experience/
Career Cafe Happenings
- Oct 15 Stephen C. Letchford, L.S., Survey Manager, AES Consulting Engineers
- Oct 17 Germanna Recruiter during all three lunch periods
Shadow Opportunities
School of Education Shadow A Student Day:
October 4 and October 25
Shadow a VCU Student Day with the School of Education allows prospective students the opportunity to spend time exploring the VCU campus and making connections with SOE faculty, staff, and current students. The day will consist of students attending a class and family and friends having the opportunity to connect with key partners, such as Financial Aid, Housing, Career Services, and RTR. The attendees will then have the opportunity to connect with current students and faculty by taking part in a panel discussion during which they can ask questions or for suggestions/advice. This is a great way for prospective students and their families and friends to be introduced to the opportunities that VCU and the School of Education have to offer!
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/shadowvcufall19
Career Information
Don't Have a Gender, so Why Should Jobs?
If you're searching for a career path, you might want to consider a nontraditional career for your gender. In spite of what many people might think, there is no such thing as a "man's job" or a "woman's job." In fact, many of the skill requirements in male- and female-dominated occupations are similar. Don't let an opportunity for a high paying, in-demand job pass you by. Explore this list of nontraditional careers for men and women to see if you can find a career that is a good fit for your skills and interests that you hadn't considered: http://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/menandwomen.html
Sign up to see the Career Coach to explore further and make a plan!
Interested in Agricultural Careers?
Fall Open House VA Tech
Agricultural Tech
Saturday, October 5th, 2019 10am-2:30am
1870 Litton -Reaves Hall VA Tech Campus
agtech.vt.edu
Seniors: Have you taken the SAT or ACT?
If you have not taken the SAT or ACT and still plan to go straight to a four-year college, register for the November or December tests ASAP. Those who receive free or reduced lunch are eligible for a fee waiver. Please email Ms. Taylor or your counselor in advance if you believe you are eligible.
Rep Visits
Seven more rep visits remain! Students must sign up on the following Google form: https://forms.gle/YCEFRsvUUkuB7KNP7.
Note: Christopher Newport University will visit CHS on October 30th during lunches. Students do NOT have to sign up for this visit.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
- FAFSA Night: October 8th, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
- College Application Workshop: October 29th, afterschool until the activity buses arrive (5:30).
FAFSA Night
- A parent/guardian
- Your parent's 2018 tax returns and W-2 forms
- Your cell phone
- Chromebook
- Know your social security number
To get a head start, you may make an FSA ID for yourself and a parent before the event. Get started here: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you write this down and keep it in a safe place!
Expect to spend about an hour on your FAFSA. Please arrive at 7 at the latest in order to finish your FAFSA.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/cwnHerwEpsqB5ce47