College and Career
SPECIAL EDITION-College APPLICATIONS WEEK Issue #5
College Applications Week October 19-23
Workshops/Webinars
Sunday, October 18th at 1:30 p.m.
What I Wish I Knew My Senior Year to Prepare for College
Monday through Thursday-October 19-22nd
Students will receive assistance applying to college
Tuesday, October 20th
On Tuesday, Drake State Technical College team members will be present to assist students with the FAFSA, and general help will be available throughout the week
Tuesday-Wednesday, October 20-21.
FAFSA Bootcamp ( Register here!)
Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be hosting a two-day Virtual Financial Aid Bootcamp on October 20-21. This boot camp will feature five sessions with subject matter experts focused on information designed to help participants learn about the federal financial aid process and how to complete the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form).
FAFSA Bootcamp Sessions
1. Understanding the FAFSA® Form/Myths (Day Session 2-3pm)
10/20/20, 2:00 PM - 10/20/20, 3:00 PM
2. FSA ID (Day Session 4-5pm)
10/20/20, 4:00 PM - 10/20/20, 5:00 PM
3. Understanding The FAFSA® Form (6-7pm)
10/20/20, 6:00 PM - 10/20/20, 7:00 PM
4. FAFSA® Demo Line-by-Line (Day Session)
10/21/20, 11:30 AM - 10/21/20, 12:30 PM
5. FAFSA® Demo Line By Line (Evening Session)
10/21/20, 6:00 PM - 10/21/20, 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 22nd *4-6 pm
Planning for College and FAFSA (FINANCIAL AID) for Parents and Students
FRIDAY
College Representation Day! Please wear your favorite college jerseys!!!!!
What Happens During College Applications Week?
***Students should know their driver's license number, ACT scores, and social security numbers.***
Student Questions
1. Do I need to sign up for this?
Answer: Not if you have regular English this semester or regular Gov/Econ. You will be called down with your class on Monday or Tuesday. However, if you miss your day, or want to sign up for extra help beyond your regularly assigned day, you may do so. If you aren't taking regular English this semester or regular Gov/Econ, and need help with college applications, please sign up using the above link. All remote learners will need to sign up for this.
2. Which colleges will waive their fees during CAW?
Answer: Click the link called "Schools Waiving Their Fees
3. Which college representatives, community reps other than our awesome teachers will be on campus helping us next week? And can I stop by to see a rep even if it is not my scheduled day?
Answer: Yes, but remote students can not do so. They will need to let me know due to the temperature taking requirements. I must know in advance if remote students need to be on campus:
- Monday-Mississippi State, Drake State, and Calhoun in the afternoon.
- Tuesday-Drake State and Wells Fargo
- Wednesday-UNA and Tennessee Tech in the morning and JSU in the afternoon
- Thursday-UNA in the morning, and all day, we have Drake State, Calhoun, and Alabama A&M University.
4. And what about the FAFSA?
Answer: FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You are encouraged to attend the webinars listed above to learn more about the FAFSA. The new FAFSA opened for applicants on Oct. 1. The 2021-2022 FAFSA relies on 2019 tax information. The form is required for students who wish to be considered for federal financial aid and is used by colleges and states to determine eligibility for many grants and scholarships. Students must complete the form for each year they wish to receive aid.
Please view the video Ms. Muhammad posted about FAFSA in Issue #4 of the College and Career Newsletter
4. What if I have additional questions?
Answer: Contact Ms. Muhammad at dmuhammad@mcssk12.org or 256-837-0331, Option #4
Repeat of FAFSA Video Posted in ISSUE #4
FAFSA
7 Things You Need Before You Fill Out the 2020-21 FAFSA® Form
Your FSA ID* …
AND ONE parent or guardian will ALSO need a FSA I.D. to get started. In other words, whoever claims you on their taxes or takes care of you would be the one to apply for a FAFSA I.D.
Use the TAx Retrieval Tool when prompted
Your Social Security number* ...
Your driver's license number. ...
Your 2019 tax records* ...
Records of your untaxed income* ...
Records of your assets (money)* ...
List of the school(s) you are interested in attending.
Log in using your FAFSA ID. If you don’t have one, you will be prompted to “Create on” at this junction.
Complete the FAFSA Form.
If you have questions, call 1-800-4FEDAID
II. Go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
III. Need Assistance?
Friday is College Dress Day
This week is College Applications Week. College bound seniors should apply for college and complete the FAFSA by the end of this week. On Friday, wear your favorite college t-shirts and take a deep breath!
Scholarship Highlight #1: $5K Heisman High School Scholarship
Due Date: October 20th
$5K Heisman High School Scholarship
"The Heisman High School Scholarship program is looking for all types of high-achieving seniors from more than 29,000 public and private high schools within the U.S. We consider young men and women who participate in a wide range of sports as well as school and community activities."
SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT #2: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Due Date: October 31st
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
Scholarship Highlight #3: The Smith Foundation Scholarship
The Smith Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Foundation established by Mignon C. Smith. Miss Smith, who never had children of her own, wanted to give students who had helped others in their community, or their families, a chance to receive a college education. The Foundation has awarded over 300 scholarships and is the largest private scholarship provider in the State.
This is a “Last Dollar Scholarship” providing up to $15,000 per year, renewable for four years to a qualified Alabama institution of higher learning, after all other financial aid is applied. The Foundation provides funding for tuition, room/board, books, study abroad opportunities, dorm pack, business attire, mentors, emergency assistance and professional advancement seminars while requiring a high degree of accountability and continued self-assessment from its recipients.
The qualifications are simple: 1) must be a graduating Alabama high school senior; 2) must have a minimum of a C+ grade point average; 3) planning to attend an approved 2-year or 4-year public college in the State of Alabama; and 4) significant contribution to family or community. There is no ACT minimum, however, the applicant must have taken the ACT or do so before an award can be made.
I encourage you to help us find deserving students who have exhibited a dedication and sense of integrity through their volunteer, community service work or assistance to their family. We are seeking those students who have struggled against the odds whether it is financial, home life or disabilities and proven they are willing to help those around them.
This is the scholarship for those students who have potential but may not qualify for traditional test and grade-based scholarships. We want to reach those students who would not otherwise be able to attend college.
Applications will be accepted from October 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021 for funding in Fall 2021. Scholarships will be awarded in April 2021. The deadline for application submittal is January 15, 2021.
We want to encourage your students to complete the online application, available October 1, 2020, on our website at www.smithscholarships.com.
If your students do not have phone or computer/internet access, please contact us for assistance.
Our contact information is:
The Smith Scholarship Foundation
400 Caldwell Trace
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: 205-202-4076
Fax: 205-202-4171
Website: www.smithscholarships.com
Communication
Getting Started with College and Career
1. College and Career Google Classroom (CCGC): All seniors and juniors are required to join the CCGC. Students can then invite their parents/guardians to receive a weekly digest. Students should use their legal names.
Join a class with a class code:
a. Go to classroom.google.com
b. Identify the "+" sign and click it.
c.Type in the class code
- Senior Class Code: me5rrxi
- Junior Class Code: bmvfa46
- Sophomore Class Code: a6w6n4b
2. Letters of Recommendation: Ms. Muhammad writes all senior letters; she completes all collegiate related forms such as with Common App, Coalition App, etc. Use the attached link to request assistance. When seniors are asked to enter their counselor's name and email address for collegiate purposes, they should enter "Dedra Muhammad: dmuhammad@mcssk12.org"
For other needs, they can contact their grade level counselor.
3. Scholarships: Stay tuned for updated scholarship information.
4. Transcripts: Questions concerning transcripts should be directed to the registrar.
Please stay in touch!
Email: dmuhammad@mcssk12.org
Website: https://www.mcssk12.org/Page/13047
Location: 2616 Jeff Road Northwest, Harvest, AL, USA
Phone: 256-837-0331