Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
It's FAFSA Time
WHAT exactly is the FAFSA?
If you’d like to receive help paying for college, it all starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. Financial aid offices at colleges and universities — from community colleges to Ivy League institutions — use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for financial aid, including student loans, grants, scholarships, and federal work-study programs. A completed FAFSA form sets the groundwork for a student’s financial aid package and is used to determine the expected family contribution and need-based aid at any given school.
- The FAFSA is a form that allows U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens to apply for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs.
- The FAFSA calculates your eligibility based on financial need with respect to your estimated cost of attendance and family contribution.
- You can submit the FAFSA online, designating up to 10 colleges and universities as recipients.
- The FAFSA is risk-free, since you do not need to accept any of the awards presented in your financial aid package.
WHO should complete the FAFSA?
Most families—regardless of how much they earn or have accumulated in assets—will find it useful to fill out the FAFSA. If it turns out that they are ineligible for "free money" in the form of grants, they are still likely to be eligible for non-need-based aid in the form of direct unsubsidized loans from the federal government. Such loans typically have more favorable terms than loans from private lenders and offer a variety of flexible repayment options.
WHEN should I complete the FAFSA?
The sooner, the better! The FAFSA is available on Oct. 1. That's the first day an applicant can complete the form for the upcoming academic year. While deadlines vary for each school, the federal due date is June 30. But schools often establish priority filing dates, which can be as early as Dec. 1. A guide to FAFSA priority dates for Alabama schools can be found at the link below.
WHAT will I need to fill out FAFSA?
Personal data
- Student Social Security number
- Parent(s) Social Security numbers, if you are a dependent student
- Student driver’s license number, if applicable
- Student Alien Registration number, if not a U.S. citizen
Financial information
- Federal tax information (via W2 information or tax returns) for the student, student’s spouse, and student’s parents, if applicable
- Records of untaxed income, such as retirement plan withdrawals
- Other financial holdings, such as savings accounts or investments
EAGLE EYE ONE: FAFSA 1ST STEP- GETTING AN FSA ID
An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature.
Both a student and parent must have an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. It is a quick and simple process. If a parent already has an FSA ID for another child or for their own aid, they will not need to create a new one.
You need to complete this process ASAP. It takes less than 10 minutes.
How to Create Your FSA ID
EAGLE EYE TWO: COMPLETING THE FAFSA
Filling out the free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is one of the most important steps students and their families can take to pay for college. The application is available online starting October 1st.
Need Help Completing the FAFSA?
Karlton Stephens with the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence (NACEE) knows all of the ins and outs of the FAFSA. While normally he would come in to Athens High to assist families in the completion of the FAFSA, he is still available via phone. Please call or email him with any specific questions, general help with the FAFSA or for confirmation that you are filling everything out correctly. Karlton is a wealth of knowledge. He will be hosting a Zoom Meeting with our seniors during Connect this Friday, October 2nd. He also created a video below that gives an overview of Financial Aid.
Karlton Stephens
NACEE Counselor/Advisor
6767 Old Madison Pike
Building 7, Suite 722
Huntsville, AL 35816
256-372-4600 (work)
256-722-9795 (fax)
EAGLE EYE THREE: CREATING AN ACCOUNT ON PARCHMENT
Parchment is the only way to send an official transcript here at Athens High. It is a quick, secure and efficient way to get your records to a school, committee, or employer. You must create an account. Be careful to fill out the correct information. You were sent a direct link to your school email or you can use the link below.
For seniors, the first 5 transcripts sent are free. Beyond that, you will have to pay $5 for each transcript sent.
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
FAFSA Opens
Monday, Oct 1, 2018, 12:15 AM
undefined
FALL BREAK
Monday, Oct 12, 2020, 12:00 AM
undefined
College Application Week (CAW)
Monday, Oct 19, 2020, 12:00 AM
Athens High School
COLLEGE & MILITARY RECRUITERS
College & Military visits will be set up digitally. Those will take place from 11:30-12:15 on Mondays & some Thursdays. Those visits dates are listed below. A link will be sent via email before each zoom. Traditional students will participate in the Zoom through their Connect teacher. Remote students can join the zoom individually.
SCHEDULE
- Monday, 9/28/2020, Vanderbilt University
- Friday, 10/2/2020, NACEE-Completing the FAFSA
- Monday, 10/5/2020, The University of Alabama
- Friday, 10/9/2020, University of North Alabama
- Friday, 10/16/2020, Lipscomb University
- Monday, 10/19/2020, University of South Alabama
- Friday, 10/23/2020, Mississippi State University
- Monday, 10/26/2020, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Friday, 10/30/2020, University of Tennessee- Knoxville
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIRS
In lieu of traditional college fairs not being held this year, the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (ALACROE) will be hosting 3 virtual college fairs for students across the state. I will be reminding you through the semester to register online to attend. Here is a little more information about the events.
Tuesday, October 20th 9:00 AM-1:00 PM; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Tuesday, November 17th 9:00 AM-11:00 AM; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
5 Reasons to Register for the ALACRAO Virtual College Fair
Here are 5 great reasons why this event is a great fit for you:
- More convenient: no travel/no time limit. The virtual college fair will remain posted for you to explore at your own convenience.
- Expert presentations on the college search and college application process with time for your specific questions to be answered. Topics will include: College Search Process 101-Finding your Fit, Navigating the Financial Aid Process, Admissions During COVID-19. Watch live and come back to watch again on demand.
- Safer Way to Connect: Colleges will be available for one-on-one chat to help you learn more about their institution. Check out the college booth for an agenda of their own presentations on topics like the honors program or residence life.
- Great Search Tools: Search colleges specifically by name or search by attributes like campus size or majors offered.
- Choose Your Screen: Attend this virtual college fair from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
To register and for more information, follow the link below.
2020-2021 ACT TEST DATES
Make Your Voice Heard
You have an opportunity to apply to Register to Vote in Alabama! You are taking a critical first step as a young adult to create the changes you’d like to see in Alabama, the United States, and the World. By becoming a Registered Voter you are claiming your Voice and using your Power to help select leaders, representatives, and judges who will create and enforce laws and policies that affect every aspect of our lives. If you are at least 17 ½ years on the day you register to vote, are a resident of Alabama, and a citizen of the United States, you are eligible to register to vote; AND if you will be 18 years of age on or before November 3, 2020, you will be able to cast your first vote in the General Election to select who you want to be the 46th President and Vice President of the United States! The deadline to apply to vote in this year’s General election is October 19, 2020.
Link to the online Voter registration tool: https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration/
Link to a fillable/printable pdf Voter registration form (will need to be mailed in or hand delivered to the County Registrar:
Want to take a college visit, but can't right now? Check out the website below
Need a Transcript?
Athens High School has now partnered with Parchment to order and send your transcripts securely. You should have received an email 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 5 orders are free
- After the first five 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 at the link below or on the school's main webpage as well as under the Guidance Page> Senior Resources
Senior Portrait Info
Seniors, you should have received a postcard in the mail over the summer with information for taking their senior portraits. If you have not received this information, then you may have to contact the studio for yourself. Our school uses Prestige Portrait Studios through LifeTouch. Their physical studios are located in Huntsville. You may call and schedule an appointment with them at (256) 382-2798 and/or you may visit their studio located at 5650 Sanderson, Huntsville St. NW Suite G, Huntsville, AL 35805. They also have a website https://local.prestigeportraits.com/al/huntsville/5650-sanderson-street-nw.html; however, you may not find the information you need to schedule an appointment, if you do not have the information from the postcard.
Prestige is scheduled to come to campus in November for students who have not made it to their Huntsville studio. Specifics for those make up portraits will be made available closer to the date they come to the school.
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.
**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.
- Army ROTC provides full tuition and fees (or $10K for room and board) scholarships to over 2000 high school students each year. Find out more information, eligibility requirements, deadlines, how to apply and more HERE.
- Epic Aviation's Scholarship Program offers a full scholarship to earn a Private Pilot’s License (up to $20,000 in flight training). They also award a Partial Scholarship of $5,000 toward flight training. Scholarships are open to all U.S. high school juniors and seniors. Finally, they award a full scholarship to a graduating senior to attend their Aircraft Mechanic Program ($19,500 value) this year. To learn more and access an application, visit HERE. Deadline is October 1, 2020.
- The Horatio Alger Scholarship will award multiple awards for National, State and Targeted scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Only one application is needed to apply. Applicants must meet the following criteria: critical financial need ($55,000 or less adjusted gross income per family), integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, participation in community service and United States citizenship. To apply, visit HERE. Deadline is October 25, 2020.
- 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 $2,000 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2021 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Applications are available HERE. Deadline is March 19, 2021.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR 9-12
The PSAT (which stands for Preliminary SAT) won’t count towards your college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship (for 11th grade students). This means that some of the highest scoring students may win scholarship money. If you have't heard, we had TWO STUDENTS qualify this year after taking the test last fall- Caroline Chesnut & Connor Higgins. While you shouldn’t stress out about the PSAT, you certainly shouldn’t ignore it either. Instead, use the PSAT as practice for the SAT and ACT and one of the starting points on your college admissions journey. For those 10th & 11th grade students interested in taking the PSAT, you can sign up now. The test will take place on Thursday, October 29th. The cost is $17 and must be paid to the guidance department by Friday, October 16th.
- The 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) recognizes students who have distinguished themselves through community service. Students in grades 5-12 who have participated in a volunteer activity after September 1, 2019 can apply. Honorees selected will have the opportunity to earn a $5,000 scholarship. Applications are available at www.spirit.prudential.com and are due by November 10, 2020.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Athens High School
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Phone: 256-233-6613