HRHS Senior Newsletter
January 2019
Congratulations on finishing the first half of your senior year!
We hope you had a fun and restful vacation!
Check the Status of your College Applications
Most colleges mail a letter to let students know that the college has received your application materials. If they do not mail a letter, typically colleges will provide an access code (via email) for you to check the status of your application. Be on the look out for this information.
If two weeks pass after you submit an application and you have not received either of these, follow up with the college to make sure they have received your application.
STEM Paid Internship Program
Financial Aid
College Financial Aid Packages
Make an appointment with Ms. Scully if you would like help going over your financial aid packages. She can help you figure out exactly what the college is offering and help you decide which financial aid package is the best option.
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Every student who wishes to receive financial aid (including loans) must fill out the FAFSA. Click here to apply. You will need your 2017 tax returns in order to fill out the application.
*Remember to keep an eye on the financial aid application deadline for the colleges you apply to. If you miss a deadline, you will not be eligible for financial aid from that school.*
CSS Profile
Click here to see if your college requires a CSS Profile.
Click here to start your CSS Profile application.
College-Specific Scholarship Applications
Two-Year College Process
Community College Applications
IF YOU MISSED DECISION DAY and you wish to apply to a community college, you must send your application directly to the college and request your transcript in the guidance office.
See Ms. Scully if you have any questions.
Next Steps
HCC Placement Test & Tour
Wednesday, March 13th - Students will take the HCC placement test at HRHS.
Tuesday, April 23rd - Students will tour HCC and register for classes. There is an option to re-take the placement test during this event.
STCC Placement Test & Tour
Date TBD: This spring, students who applied to STCC will be invited to take a field trip to STCC to tour the school and take the placement test.
Four-Year College Process
Complete Your Applications by January 31st
See Ms. Scully if you need help with your applications.
Steps to Complete When 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.
The College Application Process Checklist is attached. Hard copies are available in the guidance office.
Have you been accepted to college?
Come share the good news!
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.
Scholarships
Need Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation for Scholarships?
In order to request transcripts and letters of recommendations for scholarship applications, please bring the following to the guidance office at least 5 school days before the deadline:
A filled out Scholarship Checklist/Records Release Form.
Large 9x12 envelope with four stamps.
Your scholarship application
Scholarship Application Hint
Since many students do not take the time to write essays, there will be a smaller pool of applicants, which will increase your chances of being awarded a scholarship. Essays also allow you to show your personality and stand out to the scholarship selection committee on a more personal level, rather than relying solely on your grades or other qualifying data.
Searching for Scholarships
You can search for scholarships through Naviance. Log on to your account and click on the "Colleges" tab. Click on "Scholarships and Money" at the bottom of the menu. This will open four options:
- Scholarship Match and Scholarship List - These links produce the same list of all of the scholarships that are advertised to our guidance office. Many are local scholarships but some are state/national scholarships.
- Scholarship Applications - At this point there is nothing on this page. In the Spring, the HRHS Scholarship application will be posted here. More information to follow.
- National Scholarship Search - This will take you to the Sallie Mae Foundation's national scholarship data base. You can use this tool to search thousands of scholarships nationwide.
Other Online Scholarship Databases
In addition to Naviance, we recommend these on-line search tools for finding scholarships:
Community Foundation of Western Mass Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Western Mass awarded scholarships to over 700 local students last year. One application puts you in the running for over 130 different scholarships based mostly on county of residence or area of study, many of which YOU ARE HIGHLY ELIGIBLE FOR.
Some examples include:
- Raymond E. Carr Scholarship Fund - For students attending American International College, Elms College, Springfield College, Western New England University, or Westfield State University.
- Stanley Ciejek Sr. Scholarship Fund - For residents of Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin Counties to attend Massachusetts institutions of higher education.
- Carol Craig Scholarship Fund - For residents of Hampden, Hampshire or Franklin Counties.
- Eleanor M. Morrissey Scholarship Fund - For graduating seniors from Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden or Hampshire Counties pursuing a career in nursing.
These scholarships are available to graduating seniors and to current college students, so you should apply again next year. In fact, there is a scholarship available exclusively to HRHS grads who are in their junior or senior year of college. (Lena A. Tucker Scholarship Fund)
Click here for a complete list of available scholarships and application guidelines.
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Click here for more information.
Application deadline: May 1, 2019
Greater Northampton St. Patrick's Committee
The William F O'Connor Shanachie Award is given annually to one senior from HRHS, Northampton High, Smith Voc or Pope Francis High. Students must meet the following criteria:
-Worked to fullest potential during high school.
-Displays a good sense of humor and a knack for storytelling.
See Mrs. Jablonski for an application
Career Spotlight
Interested in Green Careers?
There are a variety of new and exciting careers that focus on green technology and helping to improve our environment. Here are 11 of the fastest growing green jobs:
1. Urban Growers
Rooftop gardens in urban areas maximize space, cut down on shipping and growing costs for buyers, and improve the air quality for city residents.
2. Water Quality Technicians
Protecting clean water is a growing concern, even here in the United States. Natural and man-made contaminants are a constant threat to our water supply.
3. Clean Car Engineers
Electric cars and other alternatively powered vehicles are considered to be an important step towards reducing petroleum dependence, protecting the environment, and improving transportation sustainability.
4. Recyclers
Recycling has become an increasingly important issue in the United States as both the population and the amount of waste each person generates continue to increase.
5. Natural Scientists
Natural scientists, such as biologists, chemists, and physicists, are essential to the development of green energy, the study of climate change and the monitoring of mankind's impact on ecosystems.
6. Green Builders
There is a growing demand for green buildings, which requires specialized construction knowledge. Green builders understand and care about the long-term impacts of their projects.
7. Solar Cell Technicians
Solar energy is one of the fastest growing sources of green energy. Specialized technicians are needed to install, maintain and repair the solar panels used to harvest solar energy.
8. Green Designers
Architects, engineers, urban planners, and even landscapers can be part of green design teams that are creating new, more energy efficient ways to co-exist with our natural environment.
9. Wave Energy Producers
Did you know that scientists and engineers are currently developing ways to harvest the power of ocean waves? This is one of the newest green energy industries and it is expected to expand rapidly as new technology is developed.
10. Wind Energy Workers
Wind turbines are becoming more popular as output from wind energy improves. Many different types of workers are needed in this field, from the technicians who build and maintain the turbines to the analysts working behind the scenes to monitor and improve energy output.
11. Biofuel Jobs
Biofuels, such as ethanol, are being developed as alternatives to petroleum. Jobs in this field range from scientists to farmers to factory workers.
For more information, check out: