GEAR UP TN
Parent Periodical
Hello Parents! Welcome to Junior Year!
GEAR UP TN is excited to partner with you as your child enters hi/her junior year. This newsletter is our way of providing you and your student with important information they will need during this academic year. We have a busy year planned and I’m excited to share with you some of the activities in which your student will participate this year!
What is GEAR UP TN?
GEAR UP TN is a federally funded college access program that aims to expand the college-going culture in Tennessee and empower students to succeed. Funded through a seven-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, GEAR UP TN works with Collaboratives in counties across the state to promote college readiness and success. These Collaboratives receive direct services through the GEAR UP TN grant. GEAR UP TN also aims to provide educators, parents, and students across the state with resources and information on the college-going process.
Typical GEAR UP services include:
- Tutoring
- Mentoring
- Visits to Colleges
- Visits to Job Sites
- Youth Summit Summer Program
- Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
- Training for Teachers
GEAR UP TN COUNTIES
National GEAR UP Goals
Increasing the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education for GEAR UP students
Increasing the rates of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students
Increasing GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing
GEAR UP serves over 560,000 students enrolled in over 3,525 secondary schools across 45 states! You are a part of a national group of parents and educators that work toward student success.
There’s a lot an 11th grade student can do to stay on the right track toward college - and parents, too!
Federal Student Aid Checklist for Students:
- Explore Tennessee colleges and careers and their earning potential on CollegeforTN.org
- Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations hosted by college representatives.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT.* You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Start to prepare for the ACT by using free online resources and study opportunities provided by your high school.
- Register for and take exams for college admission. The tests that many colleges require are the ACT and the SAT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require. If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, ask your school counselor about getting the fee waived.
- Learn more about Tennessee financial aid and scholarships on CollegeforTN.org.
- Use the free scholarship search tool at StudentAid.gov/scholarships to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.
- Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You and your parent will each need your own unique FSA ID. Learn about the FSA ID, and create yours, at StudentAid.gov/fsaid.
Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process. - Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.
- Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
- Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program’s deadlines and requirements.
- Apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow so you have less to pay back later.
Federal Student Aid Checklist for Parents:
- Take a look at your financial situation, and be sure you’re on the right track to help pay for college.
- Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child, and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.
- Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen; let your child do the talking.
- Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.
- Attend any financial aid information events at your child’s school.
- Learn more about Tennessee financial aid and scholarships on CollegeforTN.org.
- Get in-depth information on federal student aid programs at StudentAid.gov/types.
- Learn about student and parent loans in the Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents booklets at StudentAid.gov/resources#loans.
- Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (See Student Section for details.)
- Review your financial situation and make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.
- Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.
- Find out whether your child has added any schools to his or her college wish list since the last time you visited colleges. Visit additional campuses if possible.
- Take a closer look at StudentAid.gov/types and StudentAid.gov/fafsa to ensure you understand the federal aid programs and upcoming application process.
Activities Look Good on College Applications!
Sports Available
Community Service Opportunities
Will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, check with local nonprofit organizations to ask about volunteer opportunities!
The NEXT Guide
This year, your child will receive a copy of the NEXT Guide for the Class of 2023. The Next Guide is a Tennessee-specific college and career handbook which contains information and activities for students as they begin to determine what their next step will be after high school: University, Community College, TCAT, Military, Apprenticeships, or entering the work force.
As a junior, your child has an incredible opportunity to make the most of their high school experience. Now is the time for them to set their sights on a great path to college and career. We will use the NEXT Guide to investigate who they are and why they are excited about certain careers and majors. When every student knows his/her strengths and areas of growth, they can create realistic plans and incredible dreams for the future. So ask your child questions about the NEXT Guide and become engaged in the process, because going to college and preparing for the world takes time, planning, and a lot of support.
Mandy Pitts, GEAR UP TN Site Coordinator
She is looking forward to another year of working for the GEAR UP TN grant and supporting students as they get college and career ready!
Email: pittsm@fcsboe.org
Website: https://www.fcsboe.org/domain/2458
Location: 1800 Wilson Parkway, Fayetteville, TN, USA
Phone: 931.433.3158
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FHSGEARUPTN
Twitter: @FHSCounseling_
Adam McCormick, Principal
Kate Killebrew, Social / Emotional Counselor
Parents/guardians are encouraged to first communicate any serious concerns about their child to the counselor or Principal. We are here to help.
High School can be a stressful, anxiety provoking, and exciting time. With so many changes happening as students discover who they are as young adults, FHS recognizes the importance of providing social and emotional support.
Eddie Keys, Asst. Principal / Athletic Director
- 1999 graduate of DAR High School in Grant, Alabama.
- 2006 received a bachelors degree in Social Science Education from The University of Alabama.
- 2019 received a masters degree in Educational Leadership from Austin Peay.
- I have been a teacher/coach at FHS since 2014 and an assistant principal/AD since 2019.
- I am married to Whitney, an ultrasound tech at Huntsville Hospital and we have two sons, Asher who is in kindergarten at Ralph Askins and Daxx who is almost 2.
Fayetteville High School
Fayetteville High School is a public high school in the Fayetteville City School District serving students in 9th through 12th grade. Admission is open to all Lincoln County residents. Transportation is provided within city limits for students.
We are dedicated to the academic growth of our students as they prepare for college and life after graduation. We attempt to inspire them to reach their potential as students and citizens. FHS has established a tradition of academic rigor that ensures excellence. Learning is at the heart of all we do and we try to encourage each of our students to become an independent and confident learner. From the classroom to the athletic field, our students are immersed in an educational environment.
Email: mccormicka@fcsboe.org
Website: https://www.fcsboe.org/fhs
Location: 1800 Wilson Parkway, Fayetteville, TN, USA
Phone: 931.433.3158
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FHSTigers
Twitter: @FHSTigersROAR